The New England Patriots entered SNF knowing Week 16 would demand toughness, but the night unraveled fast. During the game, running back TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out for the rest of the night against the Baltimore Ravens with a head injury, stripping another layer from an already thin offense. The blows didn’t stop there. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas later exited with a hamstring injury and was ruled questionable to return, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Under the SNF lights, the Patriots found themselves fighting attrition as much as the Ravens.
Douglas’ injury came without spectacle. No violent hit. No obvious moment. He simply couldn’t continue. That silence spoke loudly. For a Patriots offense still searching for rhythm, losing Douglas tightened spacing and narrowed options. With Henderson already sidelined, the margin shrank further. Each update from the sideline forced immediate recalibration. Every series felt heavier than the last.
A primetime Patriots game shaped by injuries
SNF took on a different tone as the night wore on. Across the field, the Ravens absorbed their own blow as a back injury forced Lamar Jackson out earlier and ended his night. Momentum stalled for the Patriots. Tension replaced noise. Every snap carried consequence. The game shifted from execution to endurance.
For the Patriots, Douglas’ absence loomed large. When available, he brings quick separation and reliability in traffic. Losing that presence midgame disrupted timing and limited flexibility. Against a Ravens defense built to pressure and punish hesitation, those losses stacked quickly. The Patriots continued to compete, but the room for error kept shrinking.
Week 16 wasn’t supposed to test survival, but injuries forced the Patriots into it. Injuries peeled away layers and forced New England to reveal its depth under the harshest conditions. Nights like this linger beyond the final whistle. They test preparation. They test resolve. As SNF unfolded, one question stayed front and center. How much more can the Patriots absorb before the weight finally shifts the season?
