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Time for Patriots to Consider a Radical Move and Bring Back a Familiar Face at Wide Receiver
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- Time for Patriots to Consider a Radical Move and Bring Back a Familiar Face at Wide Receiver
With New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel unwilling to assess injured wide receiver Romeo Doubs' season prognosis at his Tuesday press conference, the notion of moving forward with just four on the active roster could become reality as soon as Thursday night in Chicago.
Vrabel's options, immediately and for at least the next four games, include a mass of two-and-three tight end offensive sets, elevations from the practice squad that now has four receivers on it, or finally looking elsewhere.
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No official word on Doubs
"The expectation is that he will work and get treatment, but to say I know exactly when he'll be back, I don't think that's fair to anybody," said Vrabel.
"To make that (42-yard touchdown catch), the X play, it's just unfortunate. He was continuing to grow and develop. We'll have to figure things out without him for a while. I'm not sure how long that will be."
Bringing Boutte back?
Let's explore that third option and hone in on the one target that makes the most sense – a deal with the Houston Texans for Kayshon Boutte.
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Boutte spent his first three pro seasons in New England, which drafted him out of LSU in the sixth round of the 2023 draft.
He bonded with Drake Maye over two seasons, catching 33 balls for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.
But with the signing of Doubs and the acquisition of A.J. Brown, he was deemed expendable in August and was dealt to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed.
Boutte has been productive for Houston with multiple catches in five of the six games. The Texans, though, traded for Marvin Harrison Jr. before last week's game and are expecting a return to the lineup for Tank Dell.
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Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn ImagesDavid Butler II-Imagn Images
Texans wouldn't miss him
Boutte is again expendable. So why not bring him back?
The cost would be negligible, potentially a late-round pick swap.
Boutte has a fine understanding of the New England offense, having played the 2025 season under coordinator Josh McDaniels. In addition, he built some serious cohesion with Maye, especially on the deep ball.
New England might have to coax Boutte back. He clearly was not happy here during training camp because of the lack of opportunity. But two of the receivers ahead of him, Doubs and Mack Hollins, are on injured reserve now.
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The opportunity is there now, if New England wanted to make it happen.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
