Prior to probably their offense’s most difficult assignment this season, the Patriots will enter Sunday’s tilt in Denver without another wide receiver.
The Pats placed Aaron Dobson on injured reserve with an ankle injury and brought up safety Dewey McDonald from their practice squad, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (as relayed by ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss, on Twitter).
Dobson sustained a high ankle sprain on a 17-yard catch during the second quarter of New England’s 20-13 win against Buffalo on Monday night, joining Danny Amendola among Patriots receivers who couldn’t finish their Week 11 game.
Although Dobson, a second-round pick in 2013, hasn’t lived up to expectations, this injury continues a series of setbacks for the Pats’ wide-receiving corps. Julian Edelman‘s out for likely the remainder of the regular season, and Amendola (knee) won’t be at 100 percent if he plays against the Broncos.
Dobson started three games this season and finished with 13 receptions for 141 yards. The Marshall product hasn’t scored a touchdown since finding the end zone four times during his rookie campaign.
The Patriots’ practice squad is devoid of any wideouts. Keshawn Martin was inactive for Monday’s game and remains limited by a hamstring injury, leaving Brandon LaFell and Chris Harper as the team’s healthy receivers.
McDonald worked out for multiple teams, including the Dolphins and Chiefs, before the Patriots signed him to their practice squad less than two weeks ago. The second-year UDFA’s played in 14 games thus far in his career, including two this season with the Colts and Patriots, respectively.