Over the past two weeks, the New England Patriots have dealt with injuries to some of their most prominent players, especially on offense. They were hit particularly hard when WR Kayshon Boutte and RB Rhamondre Stevenson both suffered injuries that have sidelined them for the last two games, taking a major hit to what had been an improving offensive production.
Drake Maye has been fortunate, however, to have a veteran like Stefon Diggs and a secret weapon like DeMario Douglas to keep the receiving corps moving, along with the rise of rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. But now it looks like the young quarterback will have some of his best weapons back as soon as Week 12.
According to Mike Vrabel, who spoke to reporters on Monday morning, Boutte and Stevenson are expected to return to practice on Wednesday for the first time since they suffered their injuries.
Mike Vrabel says Kayshon Boutte and Rhamondre Stevenson will practice on Wednesday "and see how it goes."
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 17, 2025
Considering their upcoming schedule has a few tough opponents on the docket, like the Bengals this upcoming Sunday and at Baltimore a few weeks later, regaining explosive performers will be huge for the Patriots' offense to succeed.
Mike Vrabel just gave Drake Maye and the Patriots' offense some great news ahead of their game vs. the Bengals
Perhaps one of the more unexpected parts of the Patriots' 2025 season so far has been the impressive nature of the offense that most labeled as not up to snuff for a second-year quarterback to thrive with.
That hasn't been the case so far for Maye, who has been able to pass the ball around to the entire receiving corps and utilize the running backs on the ground and in the passing game. That also includes tight end Hunter Henry, who has been a security blanket for Maye since last season, and it's clear the partnership between the quarterback and OC Josh McDaniels is a big reason for the group's success.
So that has meant, despite Boutte and Stevenson's absence, the offense has continued to truck along without much of a problem. However, that doesn't mean they haven't missed them in many ways, especially Stevenson on the offensive line and Boutte for his big-play potential.
Although they could have been used last week, it was best for the coaching staff to keep them both out with the extra time they get from playing Thursday Night Football. Now they have a few days of extra rest, and can be at their best against the Bengals on Sunday.
The hope is that they will be good to go this week, but we won't get a definitive answer until we see how they fare at practice on Wednesday. For now, we'll just have to cross our fingers that we see them back on the field sooner rather than later.