FOXBORO --- Nick DeGennaro ran untouched to the end zone and fell to his knees. The New England Patriots rookie wide receiver just scored his first NFL touchdown, and it was to complete a game-winning drive to beat the Philadelphia Eagles , 24-21.
It was an impressive showing from the James Madison rookie, who finished with four grabs, 61 yards and that picture-perfect touchdown. DeGennaro, one of four undrafted rookie wideouts on the roster , all came up big. It was just the 25-year-old DeGennaro who got the final target.
"I thank Behren (Morton) for slinging the rock that well," he said with a smile. "It was an awesome experience."
But he wasn't alone. Those three other rookies -- Cameron Dorner, Kyle Dixon and Kobe Prentice -- all played on the Patriots' final drive and were able to etch their names into the stat sheet.
Prentice caught a seven-yard pass in the win, while Dorner and Dixon each made big plays to help set up the touchdown. On a third-and-long, rookie quarterback Morton fired a bullet to Dorner on a slant that originally looked like it picked up the first down. Instead, it was ruled that he was a few inches short and the Patriots were looking at a gotta-have-it fourth-and-one.
Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Cameron Dorner (88) catches a pass against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Shaun Wade (30) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
That's when Morton hit Dixon -- playing in his first game since returning from an injury suffered in practice -- on a speed out to keep the chains moving. He finished his debut with two grabs for 10 yards.
"I thought it was going on the other side," Dixon told Patriots On SI after game when asked if he knew the ball was coming his way. "But, you know, Coach (Todd) Downing tells us run every route like you're getting the ball, and you do the small things like that like you're supposed to."
After the game, a 100% healthy Dixon was happy to see his fellow rookie get the job done.
"I think we're all pretty tight just because we're kind of in very similar situations," he said.
It's been a summer filled with competition for these undrafted rookies . Originally signing Jimmy Kibble after the draft, the team placed him on season-ending IR ahead of training camp. The team then claimed Prentice off of waivers and have these rookies fighting for a job in an already-packed receiving room.
But clearly, even with limited reps in practice, they were able to have their moment under the preseason lights. For DeGennaro, that moment was a 37-yard touchdown to send Gillette Stadium into a frenzy .
"It was a long drive," Morton said. "It was hats off to the offensive line, keeping me safe, keeping me upright. Nick had a great release, kind of avoided the corner, looked like Cover 2, so kind of put it on the line, where it was him or nobody, didn't want to put in a dangerous way, but Nick made a great play."
"If they trust me to be on the field, that's a great thing," DeGennaro said. "I'd love to get another opportunity to go get blown up on another kick return if that means I'm gonna be out there for another drive, help win the game."
Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nick DeGennaro (23) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
These four players are competing for a spot on the 53-man roster, something Efton Chism III did last year . He parlayed a strong preseason showing into a role, and now he's likely sticking around once again. Seeing how the players are competing reminds the second-year Chism about when he was in their shoes.
"It's been awesome and I've been so very thankful and blessed for all those guys to continue to help me," Chism said postgame. "Now I feel like I get the opportunity to kind of help those guys where I was less than a year ago in the same spot."
It was Kenbrell Thompkins in 2013. It was Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski in 2019. It was Chism in 2025. It's going to be tough, but these undrafted receivers all want the same opportunity to stick around.
For DeGennaro , he's just happy he got another chance.
"I think I've done a decent job, but also there's plenty to correct," he said. "Just trying to maximize what I can as long as I'm here. ... This is just the job I wanna do and work hard at."
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/patriots/onsi as Nick DeGennaro, Patriots Undrafted WRs Shine Bright in Comeback Win .
