The Patriots are already facing some early-season adversity regarding their all-important receiving back role that has thrived in New England for two decades.
During training camp, Patriots legend James White called it a career following a hip injury that knocked him out for most of the 2021 season. Then, after emerging over the summer as a contributor, veteran addition Ty Montgomery suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale.
Montgomery, the clear-cut best option to play out of the backfield on passing downs, gutted it out against the Dolphins in the season-opener, catching three passes for 15 yards and scoring the team's only touchdown.