Patriots’ DeMario Douglas Explains Curious Absence From Jaguars Loss

The Patriots were forced to play without one of their best weapons in Sunday’s putrid loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

DeMario Douglas must have eaten a full English breakfast…

Douglas had been “vomiting all day, couldn’t stand up at times or focus” during the loss, according to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald, who spoke with the second-year receiver following the game. Douglas emphasized that he wasn’t benched, though he did see his playing time decrease dramatically following a first-half penalty wiped away a first down.

New England’s production offensively quickly fell off without the 23-year-old, who appeared in both scoring drives to open up the game. Douglas’ absence coincided with a four-drive stretch in which the offense was unable to score, allowing Jacksonville to take control of the game and eventually run away with it.

Douglas was targeted three times in total, catching two passes before making way for wide receivers K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne to see increased snaps from the slot. The Patriots also increased the amount of two-tight end sets it used without the youngster, with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper finishing with twice as many receptions (12) as the entire receiving corps.

Patriots rookie Javon Baker also fell victim to illness this week, missing practice Friday.