While so many people in the football world focused on the Patriots’ easy strength of schedule in 2025, they overlooked the key to so much of their ability to stack up 14 regular-season wins en route to a Super Bowl appearance: their health.
While they did lose some key players for short stretches, they were able to navigate the season without losing players at positions where they lacked depth.
This year, that luck has turned around significantly. And though they were able to overcome an injury report on Sunday that included four cornerbacks missing the game, they suffered at least two more injuries — left tackle Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson — that will further cut into the team’s depth. Edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones also suffered a shoulder injury, something he already dealt with earlier in the season. Defensive tackle Cory Durden also suffered a late injury against the Raiders, as did cornerback Charles Woods.
Ever since opening night of the season, when A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener, injuries have been the theme of the season for New England. Right guard Mike Onwenu broke his ankle in Week 3. The team had brought in Greg Van Roten during the summer due to injuries to Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich, but Van Roten suffered a thigh injury in Week 4 that sent him to IR.
Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez has now missed two straight games due to a shoulder injury, while fellow starting corner Carlton Davis has missed two of the Patriots’ five games thus far with a neck injury.
A calf injury to Mack Hollins sent the veteran wide receiver to IR, further thinning out the receiver room. At EDGE, veteran Harold Landry remains completely MIA, while rookie Quintayvious Hutchins landed on IR with a knee injury after Week 3. Christian Barmore (shoulder) missed the Buffalo game in Week 4, fullback Reggie Gilliam (ankle) missed Week 5, safety Dell Petus (ankle) landed on IR after Week 2, and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and rookie tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) both missed Week 3’s game.
It’s been a lot. But has it been the worst injury luck in the NFL?
According to one source, not quite. Not even close, actually.
Rotowire developed a severity score to rank which teams are the most impacted by injuries. Through the first five weeks of the season, the Patriots rank third, with a severity score of 79.
The San Francisco 49ers are No. 1 in this unfortunate category, and by a wide margin, with a severity score of 99. The Houston Texans are in second, with a score of 84, and there’s a big gap behind the Patriots, with the Cardinals and Packers tied for fourth with a score of 67.
Rotowire
Rotowire Rotowire’s top 10 most injured teams
The injuries haven’t stopped the Niners from starting the year with a perfect 5-0 record, though the Texans are off to a 1-4 start after winning 12 games a year ago. The Patriots are at 3-2, though their loss in Week 1 was much more related to uncharacteristically poor decision-making from Drake Maye than it was to injuries.
The process uses a point system, with an IR placement being five points, a PUP/NFI placement being three points, a game-day injury designation of out or doubtful being two points, and a game-day designation of being questionable being one point.
On the brighter end of the spectrum, the Buccaneers (severity score of 26), Bengals (28), Vikings (34), Bills (35) and Colts (38) are the five healthiest teams thus far.
The Athletic also tried to encapsulate the teams most impacted by injuries this year. Using a different method, The Athletic settled on the Patriots ranking fourth in that category, with the Giants at No. 1, the Niners at No. 2, and the Eagles at No. 3.
As far as relief goes for the Patriots, A.J. Brown is eligible to come off IR as soon as this week. The team will also hope to minimize the damage over the next two games before getting the “mini bye” that will follow their Thursday night matchup in Chicago in Week 7. Their actual bye is on the later end this year, as it comes in Week 11, just before Thanksgiving.
Success in the NFL is found through a combination of a million factors. Smart coaching. Preparation. Offseason training. Film study. Game-day execution. Front-office savvy. A fortunate bounce or two. And plenty of other factors that are within a team’s control.
Yet in a sport as violent as football, with car crashes taking place just about every snap, the biggest factor outside of anyone’s control is the reality of injuries. And with less than a third of the season finished, the Patriots are going to need a major change of fortune with injuries if they hope to still be standing by season’s end.
