The Patriots were one of the luckiest teams of the 2025 season in more ways than one, most notably by reaching the Super Bowl in Year 1 under Mike Vrabel. But they also managed to avoid the injury bug that was going around the league, though unfortunately they couldn't escape it for as long as they'd hoped.
It was clear well before this season began that they would be without some of their best players in Week 1, with Harold Landry at the top of the list, and that has only grown as the season has progressed.
Injuries seem to be piling up before, during, and after games, with A.J. Brown's high ankle sprain against the Seahawks setting everything off. Heading into their matchup with the Raiders on Sunday, they now have 19 players on injured reserve, with FB Reggie Gilliam and WR Mack Hollins the latest additions.
They have already ruled out several players for the game, including Gilliam and Hollins, with CBs Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, Channing Canada, and Karon Prunty rounding out the list.
It's the brutal reality the Patriots avoided last season, but at this rate, they could be inching closer to breaking a record Vrabel set with the Titans: placing 34 players on IR in 2022.
The Patriots injury luck has run out - and now they're down starters all over the team
Looking at the 2026 schedule, it was clear the Patriots would have a tougher year than during their most recent Super Bowl run, a prediction already proven by their play over the first month.
Making matters worse are the recurring injuries to some of their best players and key depth pieces, with 19 players now on IR this season.
Offensively, the list includes: DT Isaiah Iton, FB Reggie Gilliam, G Mike Onwenu, G Greg Van Roten, OT Marcus Bryant, RB Myles Montgomery, TE Julian Hill, WR A.J. Brown, and WR Mack Hollins.
Defensively, they haven't been hit nearly as hard, with only LBs Quintayvious Hutchins and Khalil Jacobs and S Dell Pettus on IR. Then P Bryce Baringer forced the team to find a new punter in free agency to replace him.
Given the team's widespread losses, we have already seen major changes to the starting lineup, with plenty of depth players coming and going, some of whom played just one game in New England or were elevated from the practice squad when needed.
It's taken a toll on their already questionable performance so far, and they're about to face their most brutal test this weekend against the Raiders, particularly with their very vulnerable secondary.
They'll benefit from the Raiders' having a depleted receiving corps, as they've had their fair share of injuries, too. But they have a powerhouse tight end duo in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer to do the work, and that will make it a tough day for those stepping up in Davis and Gonzalez's absence.
There's also a chance they could be without star RB Ashton Jeanty, who didn't practice on Friday due to an ankle/foot injury, a huge loss for Las Vegas and a big gain for New England.
The defense played noticeably well last week, despite the number of players not suited up to play, but this week they'll be without even more key players, and it could prove too much for this developing team to handle, making another home win difficult.
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