Boston – The New England Patriots have accumulated the third‑largest injury severity score in the NFL after the first five weeks of the 2026 season, according to a metric developed by Rotowire. With a score of 79, the Patriots trail the San Francisco 49ers (99) and the Houston Texans (84), while the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers sit at 67.
Injury Overview
Since the season opener, the Patriots have dealt with a cascade of setbacks. Cornerback A.J. Brown suffered a high‑ankle sprain in Week 1, and right guard Mike Onwenu broke his ankle in Week 3. The team added veteran lineman Greg Van Roten during the summer to cover earlier losses to Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich, only for Van Roten to sustain a thigh injury in Week 4 and land on injured reserve (IR).
Recent reports added left tackle Will Campbell and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson to the injury list, along with edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, who re‑injured a shoulder he had previously dealt with. Defensive tackle Cory Durden also went down late in the Raiders game, and cornerback Charles Woods joined the growing list of sidelined players.
Key Players Missing Time
Starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez has missed two consecutive games with a shoulder issue, while fellow starter Carlton Davis is out for two of the Patriots’ five games due to a neck injury. Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins suffered a calf injury that placed him on IR, further thinning the receiver corps.
At the defensive end, Harold Landry remains unavailable, and rookie Quintayvious Hutchins was placed on IR after a knee injury in Week 3. Additional absences include Christian Barmore (shoulder) missing the Buffalo game, fullback Reggie Gilliam (ankle) sitting out Week 5, safety Dell Petus (ankle) on IR after Week 2, safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and rookie tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) both missing the Week 3 matchup.
How the Severity Score Is Calculated
Rotowire’s system assigns five points for each IR placement, three points for a PUP/NFI designation, two points for a game‑day “out” or “doubtful” status, and one point for a “questionable” designation. The Patriots’ total of 79 reflects the cumulative impact of these injuries on roster depth.
Comparative Landscape
On the healthier side of the league, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead with a severity score of 26, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (28), Minnesota Vikings (34), Buffalo Bills (35) and Indianapolis Colts (38). The Athletic’s separate analysis placed the Patriots fourth in its own injury impact ranking, behind the New York Giants, 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots are currently 3‑2, with their lone loss in Week 1 attributed more to uncharacteristically poor decision‑making by quarterback Drake Maye than to injuries. A.J. Brown is eligible to return from IR as early as this week, and the team hopes to limit further damage before a “mini‑bye” after their Thursday night game in Chicago (Week 7). Their official bye comes in Week 11, just before Thanksgiving.
Success in the NFL hinges on a blend of coaching, preparation, film study, execution and a measure of luck. While the Patriots have demonstrated resilience, the injury toll underscores the need for a shift in fortune if they aim to remain competitive through the remainder of the season.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
