The Patriots have had the luxury of a deep wide receiver group throughout the offseason, and they continue to have a long list of players competing for the final spots on the 2025 roster. Despite that, there are still questions surrounding the players they do have and if the depth will be enough for the season ahead, beyond those already deemed starters.
One of those players is rookie Kyle Williams, who has impressed since he joined the team earlier this year. Along with Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas, he has long been considered among the roster locks all summer long, which makes his latest injury scare against the Vikings on Saturday afternoon that much more unsettling.
The rookie made an impressive catch, which looked like it was too high over his head to be caught, and got hit in the head by a defender, causing him to stay down for some time before walking off the field with Patriots trainers.
Kyle Williams slow to get up after taking a big hit over the middle. Still held on to the pass from Joshua Dobbs, going over his head to grab a high throw.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 16, 2025
It was the latest reminder that, despite having 11 receivers signed to the team right now, they cannot afford to lose a starting receiver from a preseason game.
The Patriots cannot afford to lose any more players to injury before the season begins
Although the severity of Williams' injury has not been revealed just yet, losing a starter for any amount of time due to an injury sustained in the preseason, especially one at a position like receiver, is never ideal.
The offense needs as much star power as possible, with Drake Maye's second-year progression depending on the upgrades the new regime made. There has already been shuffling on the offensive line due to injuries piling up, and the lack of availability of some of the receivers, making Williams' potential absence more brutal.
RELATED: Patriots' roster has already shown one clear strength long before Week 1 kickoff
The hope, of course, is that it won't be the case, and he remained out for the rest of the Vikings matchup as more of a precaution. But we'll have to wait and see what the Patriots' thinking really was.
At this point, if there's a silver lining at all to consider, it's that Williams being out allows for other receivers to get more reps, like Efton Chism or Javon Baker. Both are vying for one of the final spots in the receiving corps and could use the additional snaps to prove they're the right choice.
It would also settle some of the concerns surrounding the inconsistent depth at the position if they can prove to be reliable and more capable than they've been given credit for. That could also include a guy like Kayshon Boutte, who has had a standout summer, as well.