Among the personnel adjustments head coach Bill Belichick made in Sunday’s win over the Bills was lowering large receiver DeVante Parker’s workload.
Parker was on the sphere for simply 35 snaps, which accounted for simply 58% of offensive performs. That was his lowest snap rely and play-time share since Week 1, when he was inactive with a knee harm.
Wide receiver Jalen Reagor, a 2020 first-round decide by the Eagles who was signed to the Patriots’ follow squad earlier than the season, was the first benefactor of Parker’s enjoying time discount.
Reagor, who was elevated from the follow squad for the third time this season, performed a season-high 25 snaps. The 24-year-old caught one 11-yard cross, whereas Parker hauled in a single 8-yard seize.
“Jalen’s done a good job in the opportunities he’s had,” Belichick mentioned Monday morning. “Trying to get all of our skill players in the game and give them an opportunity to make some plays. And we got some production from probably I think we got production from all of them. That’s been kind of a common thing throughout the year. We’ve had tight ends, receivers, running backs, those guys have had production. We just obviously need more of it. But that’s — try to get those guys in the game and let them help us.”
Parker, who signed a contract extension this offseason, dropped a deep cross from quarterback Mac Jones on the Patriots’ closing offensive drive of their Week 7 loss to the Raiders. After that loss, Parker mentioned the ball hit within the fingertips.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne performed 56 snaps (93%) in Sunday’s win and led the staff with six catches on seven targets for 63 yards with a landing, whereas rookie Demario Douglas was on the sphere for 37 snaps (62%) in beginning slot receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s absence. Douglas caught 4 passes on six targets for 54 yards with a 20-yard rush. Second-year professional Tyquan Thornton performed simply three snaps (5%) and caught one 2-yard cross.
Reagor would have to be signed to the 53-man roster to see extra enjoying time since he’s used up his three follow squad elevations.
Source: www.bostonherald.com