An injury could keep Aaron Dobson out of the mix for the New England Patriots’ vacant No. 3 receiver role.
Dobson is questionable to play against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night after being added to the injury report with a back ailment. The No. 3 receiver spot is open after Julian Edelman broke his foot in Week 10 against the New York Giants.
Wide receiver Keshawn Martin also is questionable to play with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action for four games. Undrafted rookie Chris Harper was signed by the Patriots off their practice squad Tuesday and could see if a big role if Dobson and Martin can’t play.
Dobson has 12 receptions for 124 yards this season — his third with the Patriots. He caught seven passes for 87 yards in Week 2 against the Bills.
If Dobson, Martin and Harper all are active, Martin, who the Patriots acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans at the beginning of the season, likely will get the first crack at Edelman’s old role. Martin had passed Dobson on the wide receiver depth chart before injuring his hamstring.
Here’s the Patriots’ full injury report:
OUT
LB Jamie Collins (illness)
CB Justin Coleman (hand)
WR Julian Edelman (foot)
QUESTIONABLE
OT Marcus Cannon (toe)
Guard Tre’ Jackson (knee)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (concussion)
WR Keshawn Martin (hamstring)
WR Aaron Dobson (back)
PROBABLE
DT Alan Branch (elbow)
DE Chandler Jones (abdomen)
Guard Shaq Mason (knee)
DE Jabaal Sheard (ankle)
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports Images
