Douglas, who logged 38 of 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Seahawks and went without a target.
Douglas' quiet Week 2 effort occurred in a game in which just five of quarterback Jacoby Brissett's 27 passing attempts went to wide receivers, with Ja'Lynn Polk (41 snaps) seeing three targets and K.J. Osborn (51 snaps) logging two. Afterward, head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged that getting Douglas more involved needs to be a priority for the Patriots ahead of Thursday's game against the Jets, per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. However, until such an approach results in added targets for Douglas, the 2023 sixth-round pick will be a low-percentage option in fantasy lineups.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Two grabs in Week 1 win
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Douglas brought in two of three targets for 12 yards in the Patriots' 16-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
No Patriots pass catcher recorded more than three receptions, so in that context, Douglas, New England's de facto No. 1 receiver, didn't have an appreciably quieter afternoon than his teammates. There could be many similarly modest receiving lines for the second-year speedster sprinkled throughout the season as long as New England can effectively lean on the ground attack and its defense, but Douglas may have a chance at more opportunity in a Week 2 home matchup against the Seahawks.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Stashes (WR Preview)
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I don't really want to start a Patriots wide receiver until they make the switch to Drake Maye, but they have three solid stash candidates. The first is Demario Douglas, who is the favorite to lead the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Douglas earned seven targets per game after Kendrick Bourne went down last year and Bourne is starting the year on the PUP. I'm also looking to stash Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Catches three passes from Maye
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Douglas recorded three receptions (on four targets) for 14 yards in Sunday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Commanders.
Douglas played exclusively in three-receiver sets, but he was still among the snap leaders for the Patriots in their first several offensive possessions as he worked primarily alongside Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn. His longest catch of the day came on a third down midway through the first quarter that went for 16 yards and was delivered by Drake Maye. More importantly, Douglas looks to be the starting slot receiver for the Patriots heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Bengals.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Moves past hand issue
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Douglas (hand) has shed his red no-contact jersey, Mike Dussault of the Patriots' official site reports.
Douglas, who had previously been wearing a no-contact jersey in practice as he managed what he described as a minor hand injury, sat out the Patriots' preseason opener last week. Now that he's back to working without any restrictions, the second-year pass catcher could see action in this Thursday's exhibition contest against the Eagles. As the coming season approaches, Douglas is poised to maintain a key/steady role in New England's WR corps, a context that should allow the 2023 sixth-rounder to remain on the fantasy radar regardless which QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is throwing him passes.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Won't play Thursday
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Douglas (hand) isn't slated to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
While the Patriots are in line to play their healthy starters, Douglas has been wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice of late, as he manages what he has described as a minor hand injury. At this stage, Douglas' Week 1 status isn't in jeopardy, but it remains to be seen if he'll take the field next Thursday against the Eagles.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Back in non-contact jersey
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As Friday's practice progressed, Douglas returned to wearing a red (non-contact) jersey, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
During the early portion of the session, Douglas worked without the red jersey, but it appears as though the wideout continues to exercise caution with what he has described as a minor hand injury. With that in mind, Douglas' Week 1 status is in no apparent danger, but it remains to be seen if he'll take the field in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Sheds non-contact jersey
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Douglas (hand) didn't sport a red (non-contact) jersey during the initial portion of Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Douglas had been practicing with a red jersey due to what he described as a minor hand injury, but the 2023 sixth-rounder appears to be moving past the issue. As the coming season approaches, Douglas is expected to maintain a steady role in a crowded Patriots WR corps that parted ways with DeVante Parker this offseason but added 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, along with veteran free agent K.J. Osborn. Meanwhile, Kendrick Bourne continues to bounce back from a knee injury and returnees JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte are also competing for slotting. While there's plenty to sort out in the coming weeks, Douglas nonetheless figures to be a key target for whichever QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is behind center for the team.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Logs 7-on-7 snaps
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Douglas, who has been dealing with a hand issue, participated in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Douglas sported a red (non-contact) jersey Tuesday, but the wideout's participation in 7-on-7 drills solidifies the notion that his hand issue wasn't a major concern. As the coming season approaches, Douglas has an opportunity to claim a key role in a crowded New England receiving corps that parted ways with DeVante Parker this offseason while adding 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, as well veteran free agent K.J. Osborn.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Labeled day-to-day
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Coach Jerod Mayo said Friday that Douglas (hand) is "day-to-day" and only dealing with a minor injury, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
Douglas' hand injury has limited him from yet taking part in team drills at training camp, but it doesn't appear that he's dealing with anything long-term. The second-year pro reportedly impressed at spring practices, and once back on the field at training camp he'll work to continue building some positive momentum. There are opportunities up for grabs in New England's crowded wide receiver room -- and Douglas was one of the offense's lone bright spots as a rookie -- but he faces competition from 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, as well as free-agency arrival K.J. Osborn.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Slowed by hand issue
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Douglas has been limited by a hand injury for the last few days, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Douglas drew strong reviews for his play during spring practice, potentially helping him separate himself in a crowded New England wide receiver room. That continued momentum from a solid rookie season, during which he posted 49 receptions for 561 yards in one of the worst offenses in the league, so he should have an advantage over newcomers such as K.J. Osborn and Javon Baker. Nevertheless, it will be important for him to get back on the field quickly to cement his depth chart standing heading into the regular season.
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Patriots' DeMario Douglas: Shines at spring practices
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Douglas was the Patriots' "best and most explosive playmaker" at spring practices, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic.
Douglas led the team in receiving last season as a rookie sixth-round pick, albeit with only 561 yards and nary a touchdown. Around 65 percent of his snaps and production came from the slot, which presents a potential complication for a New England offense with three veteran WRs -- Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and JuJu Smith-Schuster -- that are arguably at their best working inside. All three are at least 6-foot, 200 pounds, while Douglas is much shorter (5-foot-8, 192) but also the fastest (4.44 40) and most agile of the bunch. New Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt should find a way to keep Douglas involved, even if it means leaving Smith-Schuster and/or Osborn out of the rotation or bringing the team's rookie WRs along slowly (second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker).
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Minimal production in snow
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Douglas caught two of five targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Jets.
As if catching passes from Bailey Zappe against the stout Jets secondary wasn't tough enough on its own, Douglas also had to contend with a snowstorm. The 2023 sixth-round draft pick showed some promise this season with 49 catches for 561 yards on 78 targets, though he failed to score a touchdown across 14 games as a rookie. The Patriots will likely try to bolster their wide-receiver room in the offseason, but Douglas could also benefit from a potential upgrade at quarterback, which could come via the Patriots' third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Three catches in Sunday's loss
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Douglas caught three of five targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Bills.
It was modest production, but Douglas actually led the Patriots' wide receiver corps in targets, in part due to the early exit of DeVante Parker (ribs). Douglas has hauled in at least three passes in eight straight games for which he's been active dating back to Week 7, posting a 37-405-0 line on 56 targets during that time. The rookie wideout will look to end his season with a splash in Week 18 against the Jets.
Douglas bounced back nicely in Week 16 with five catches for 74 yards against the Broncos. He now has double-digit PPR Fantasy points in four of his last five games and should be chasing the score in Week 17 against the Bills.
Douglas' first game back was a disappointment but he still has nine targets in two of his last three games and seven targets in four of his last five games. I'm hoping for a bounce back in Week 16.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Sleeper WRs
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Douglas finally cleared the concussion protocol, and he's ready to play in Week 15 against the Chiefs after missing the past two games. Prior to getting hurt, Douglas had consecutive games with nine targets and six catches, and hopefully he continues to get that kind of volume in this struggling offense. Bailey Zappe should lean on Douglas, and he's worth trusting as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in PPR. While Kansas City is No. 10 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, there have been 15 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points against the Chiefs this year. I'm hopeful Douglas can reach that threshold this week now that he's back in action.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Set to return Sunday
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After clearing the NFL's concussion protocol, Douglas doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Douglas missed the Patriots' last two games, but he'll be back in action this weekend and should reclaim a key role in the team's Week 15 pass-catching corps. In the 10 games he's suited up for, Douglas has averaged 3.6 catches on 5.5 targets for 41 yards, a rate of production that gives the 2023 sixth-rounder modest fantasy utility in PPR formats.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Logs limited practice
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Douglas (concussion) was a limited participant in his return to practice Wednesday.
Douglas has missed the Patriots' last two games, but the wide receiver's return to practice in some capacity marks a step forward as he makes his way through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. He's one of four Patriots receivers on the Week 15 injury report, with all of DeVante Parker (knee), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) also practicing on a limited basis Wednesday.
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Patriots' Demario Douglas: Returns to practice
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Douglas (concussion) was present for practice Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Douglas has missed two straight games, but the wide receiver's presence at Wednesday's practice paves the way for a potential return to action Sunday against the Chiefs. The Patriots will reveal the extent of Douglas' participation in practice when the team releases its first Week 15 injury report later Wednesday.
