With the Patriots getting past the Cardinals Monday night, just one more contest from this two-game road trip is left as they continue trying to make their postseason push.
And it’s a big one.
They’ll next face former offensive coordinator and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, with the two teams about to meet in what’s absolutely a huge game for both clubs.
For the Raiders, it appears like they’re going to get two key names back this week. According to several reports, both receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller are potentially set to come off of injured reserve this week, just in time for a game that McDaniels has likely had circled all year.
The two are reportedly being designated to return to practice, with the hopes they’ll be available for Sunday’s game against New England.
McDaniels could certainly use all the help he can get. The first-year coach is just 5-8 with his new franchise, with a loss on Sunday most assuredly bouncing his team from any shot at salvaging the season and making the playoffs.
For the Patriots, they’ve obviously taken a step back while adjusting to life without him this year and are currently only slightly better off. Sitting at 7-6, hope still remains on the table of Bill Belichick’s team potentially playing in January. However, the road ahead of them remains difficult enough that every game will likely become even more critical than the next.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are hopeful to get a little help of their own. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore was reportedly at practice on Wednesday, which could potentially see him make a return after being sidelined with a knee injury. Another positive sign is that it sounds like Jalen Mills could also be back in the line-up, which given that group of targets for Las Vegas, who also has Devante Adams, would be a major boost.
However, questions remain on the offensive side of the football for New England as both DeVante Parker and Jakobi Meyers have each sustained concussions in recent weeks. Rhamondre Stevenson also injured his ankle Monday night, and his status is up in the air ahead of Sunday’s game.
One bit of good news is the fact Damien Harris was reportedly spotted at practice, which would at least help solidify the running back position. If the Patriots head into this game depleted at receiver, it’s likely we’ll see another conservative, ball-control style of offense and Harris would definitely help provide that.
Kickoff is currently scheduled for 4:05pm ET, with this one recently having been flexed out of the Sunday Night timeslot. Both the Patriots and Raiders were instead replaced with the NY Giants at Washington game in a rematch between two teams that finished in a 20-20 tie in Week 13.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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