Patriots' Latest Receiver Addition Has A Chance To Become An Unexpected Story originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots did not wait long to react after losing Romeo Doubs. On Monday, the team placed the wide receiver on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and added Ryan Miller to its practice squad. The quiet move could become important in a suddenly complicated receiving situation.
Doubs injured his shoulder while catching a 42-yard touchdown in Sunday's 26-19 victory over the New York Jets. His placement on injured reserve means New England will be without him for at least four games, a significant development for a player who leads the team with 261 receiving yards and shares the team lead with three touchdown catches.
Ryan Miller Brings An Interesting Recent Resume
Miller is not a familiar name to many Patriots fans, but he has already appeared in regular-season NFL games. The 26-year-old receiver spent time with Miami this season, catching three passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in five games before the Dolphins released him on Oct. 13. Those numbers are limited, but they show he has produced an explosive play in a real game.
BREAKING: The #Patriots have placed WR Romeo Doubs (shoulder) on injured reserve. New England also announced the following roster moves: 🔹Signed DB Elliott Davison to the 53-man roster 🔹Signed WR Ryan Miller, OL Jacob Rizy, and G Andrew Rupcich to the practice squad 🔹Released CB D’Shawn Jamison from the practice squad
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) October 19, 2026
The Patriots announced Monday that Miller has appeared in 30 career games, including six starts, with 17 receptions for 254 yards and four touchdowns. New England signed him to the practice squad, so he has not automatically been added to the active roster. Still, the timing of his arrival makes his progress worth following.
Doubs is not the only injured receiver. Mack Hollins was already on injured reserve, leaving the Patriots with fewer experienced options as they prepare to visit the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. A.J. Brown returned from his own injury Sunday but caught only three of 10 targets for 27 yards. DeMario Douglas supplied seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.
MORE: How Long Is Romeo Doubs Out? Shoulder Injury Updates, Return Timeline for Patriots WR
New England Needs Options, Not A Miracle
Miller does not have to replace Doubs' entire role to justify the signing. The Patriots still have Douglas, Brown, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, and Hunter Henry remains a trusted target at tight end. What New England needs is enough available depth to preserve the flexibility of Josh McDaniels' passing game.
The short turnaround increases the urgency. Thursday's game at Chicago kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET, leaving limited practice time for a new receiver to learn the offense. Whether Miller is elevated immediately or remains an emergency option, his arrival illustrates how quickly New England's plans have changed.
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