The slumping New England Patriots will be without four players, including two key offensive playmakers, for Thursday night’s road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, standout rookie wideout Demario Douglas (concussion), starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), another rookie WR in Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) and cornerback Shaun Wade (illness) have been ruled out for Week 14.
Stevenson leads the Patriots with 619 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season to go along with a team-leading 38 receptions for 238 yards. Douglas has 36 receptions for a team-leading 410 yards and 29 rushing yards on four carries.
The Patriots enter Sunday’s contest with the league’s worst scoring offense, one that has averaged a woeful 12.3 points per game. The unit has struggled to score double-digit points in three straight games, and now they must get by without their two best offensive players against a stingy Pittsburgh defense.
But like the Patriots, the Steelers will also be without a key offensive piece on Thursday in quarterback Kenny Pickett, who will miss time recovering from surgery on a high ankle sprain. As such, the Steelers will be starting backup Mitch Trubisky in tomorrow’s pivotal game.
Also, Bill Belichick has an impressive 13-4 career record against the Steelers as the Patriots’ head coach. The Pats also defeated the Steelers 17-14 at Acrisure Stadium a year ago.
