The New England Patriots currently have two healthy wide receivers, and that’s kind of a problem.
The Patriots were left with just Brandon LaFell and Chris Harper in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s 20-13 win over the Buffalo Bills. Julian Edelman (broken foot) and Keshawn Martin (hamstring) were declared inactive for the game, and Danny Amendola (knee) and Aaron Dobson (ankle) were knocked out of action with injuries.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick admitted the injuries affected the team’s play-calling in the fourth quarter.
Even if one of Amendola, Martin or Dobson is able to return for Sunday night’s matchup with the Denver Broncos, the Patriots likely will need some additional wide receiver depth. Here are seven players available for the Patriots to sign:
TERRELLE PRYOR
The Patriots showed interest in Pryor after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns earlier this season. The former Ohio State quarterback moved to wide receiver this offseason with the Browns and showed potential in practice, but he has gone unsigned on the open market.
Pryor has the most potential among available wideouts, but the question is whether he would fit the “Patriot Way.”
GREG SALAS
Salas spent part of the 2012 season with the Patriots and played under current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with the St. Louis Rams in 2011, when he caught 27 passes for 264 yards.
Salas most recently was with the Detroit Lions this summer. He was cut Sept. 15 with an injury settlement after hurting his knee in the preseason.
JARRETT BOYKIN
The Patriots worked out Boykin earlier this season after he was cut by the Carolina Panthers out of training camp. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver has 57 career receptions for 731 yards. He had his most productive season in 2013 with the Green Bay Packers, with 49 catches for 681 yards and three touchdowns.
AUSTIN HILL
The Patriots cut Hill from their practice squad Nov. 10. He went undrafted out of Arizona and spent training camp with the New York Jets. Hill might not be an option for the 53-man roster, but he could provide depth from the practice squad.
ACE SANDERS
Sanders’ 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy was lifted last week. The former Jacksonville Jaguars fourth-round draft pick is a free agent and has 57 career receptions for 539 yards with one touchdown. He might not be worth the headache, but the Patriots could be desperate for some talent.
AUSTIN PETTIS
Pettis, like Salas, has experience under McDaniels with the Rams in 2011. The Patriots worked out Pettis earlier in the season, but the wideout has gone unsigned since being cut by the San Diego Chargers out of training camp. He has 107 career receptions for 1,034 yards with nine touchdowns.
DRI ARCHER
Archer officially is listed as a running back, but given his diminutive size, he could be used as a slot receiver. Archer, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 173 pounds, has seven career receptions for 23 yards. He caught 99 passes at Kent State for 1,194 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
