Patriots Leading WR Injured During Falcons Game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — While the New England Patriots offense has performed well during their Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium, it is doing so without the services of perhaps its most electrifying receiver.

The Pats have ruled wideout Kayshon Boutte out for the remainder of the contest with a hamstring injury. Boutte left the game in the first half and did not return. As such, his injury status will be closely watched heading into Week 10.

At the time of Boutte’s injury, the Pats held a 21-14 lead over the falcons, with fellow wideouts DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs having contributed touchdown catches respectively.

Through eight games this season, the Pats’ sixth-round pick [187 overall] in the 2023 NFL Draft, has become one of quarterback Drake Maye’s most-reliable offensive weapons — as well as a weekly big-play threat. He entered Week 9 having caught 23 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns. Before leaving this game, he had zero catches on only one target.

While Boutte’s on-field skills and athleticism are largely the reason for his resurgence, the determination with which he approaches each game has played a significant role in his success. In fact, head coach Mike Vrabel praised Boutte’s communication skills as a key factor in his growth as a pro-level receiver, as well as a teammate. 

“I think he communicates better,” Vrabel told reporters this week at Gillette Stadium. “I just think he's a better communicator, whether that's anything that he has to deal with outside of work or outside of football family or just talking in the building. I think that's improved."

“He's a pretty personal, private guy. I think that as he begins to trust us more, trust [receivers coach] Todd [Downing], myself or any of the coaches, that that's gotten better. And then he’s worked extremely hard.”

Kayshon Boutte Has Been One of New England’s Most Improved Players