Pats Pulpit
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte will be day-to-day with a hamstring injury, head coach Mike Vrabel relayed Monday morning.
Boutte suffered the injury in New England’s 24-23 win over the Falcons on Sunday, leaving the game after playing 18 snaps — his last coming on Stefon Diggs’ second quarter touchdown. Boutte was then listed as questionable to return before being ruled out in the second half.
“Kayshon’s going to be day-to-day,” Vrabel said. “I don’t see him practicing early in the week. We’ll see where that goes late in the week.”
Through nine games, Boutte has been one of Drake Maye’s top targets leading the team with five touchdown receptions while his 431 receiving yards ranks second. The duo has also developed into one of the league’s best downfield threats, as Boutte has hauled in nine-of-10 deep targets for 236 yards and all five of his scores.
In Boutte’s absence, rookie Kyle Williams was thrusted into an elevated role playing a season-high 31 snaps. The third-round pick went without a catch on one target as he seemingly was on the wrong side of a miscommunication with Maye.
Williams, however, had moments where he was open throughout the game and largely matched up against Falcons top cornerback A.J. Terrell.
The 22-year old, who has just two catches on the season while playing 21 percent of New England’s offensive snaps, has spent the early parts of his career moving around the offensive formation. Vrabel has seen him settle down as the year has progressed, and he’ll now get to focus on Boutte’s position along the outside.
“Kyle’s been learning a lot of different position. Excited that he’ll probably get a little greater opportunity going forward,” Vrabel said. “Kyle should be ready to go here for us.”
