New England will play without 4 starters vs. Jets

New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson and Kayshon Boutte are among the sidelined players for the Patriots.

By Conor Ryan

November 12, 2025 | 5:35 PM

2 minutes to read

The New England Patriots are going to be shorthanded going into Thursday’s primetime matchup against the New York Jets. 

The team announced on Wednesday afternoon that four starters have been ruled out of that bout against New York at Gillette Stadium: running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), tight end Austin Hooper (concussion), and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip).

In addition, the Patriots have two players listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football: running back Terrell Jennings (knee) and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (ankle). 

New England’s running-back corps is set to be thin on Thursday, especially if Jennings is hampered. Stevenson will now miss three straight games due to his toe injury, prompting a greater role for rookie TreVeyon Henderson moving forward.

Henderson answered the call during Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, with the 2025 second-round pick rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns. But Henderson was also listed on the injury report this week with a knee issue, which could sap some of his explosiveness if called upon. 

If Jennings is either ruled out or ineffective, New England does have three running backs on their practice squad — D’Ernest Johnson, Jonathan Ward, and Rushawn Baker.

This will mark the second game in a row that Elliss has missed due to that hip injury, although Jack Gibbens stepped up in increased snaps with a 10-tackle performance against the Bucs.

With Hooper ruled out, Hunter Henry is the only tight end on New England’s active roster, although fullback Jack Westover has some experience at tight end. 

Boutte has been Drake Maye’s most-effective deep threat this season — with the LSU product reeling in 23 catches for 431 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.

Even with Boutte sidelined last week in Tampa, Maye still was able to generate explosive plays by targeting wideouts Mack Hollins (six catches, 106 yards) and rookie Kyle Williams (one catch, 72-yard touchdown). 

A Jets team that already dealt away star players in Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline was also dealt another setback on Wednesday — as New York also downgraded wide receiver Garrett Wilson to out due to a knee injury. 

Wilson has been one of the few bright spots on a listless Jets offense, recording 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. 

Here’s a look at the Patriots’ injury reports: 

OUT

WR Kayshon Boutte, Hamstring

LB Christian Elliss, Hip

TE Austin Hooper, Concussion,  

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Toe

QUESTIONABLE

DL Joshua Farmer, Ankle 

RB Terrell Jennings, Knee

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.