By Patriots Report staff | Updated Sept. 24, 2026
September 24, 2026 — The New England Patriots downgraded rookie tight end Eli Raridon on Thursday’s team injury report after he did not participate in practice because of a thigh issue. The Eli Raridon injury designation followed a limited-practice listing on Wednesday and comes with one final practice remaining before the Patriots travel to Jacksonville.
Eli Raridon injury status and practice update
The Patriots listed Eli Raridon as a non-participant on Thursday’s practice report; he had been limited on Wednesday. Team reports identified the concern as a thigh injury. Team injury report wording is intentionally concise, and designations can change after Friday’s work.
Through two games, Raridon has stood out in the Patriots’ receiving corps — he has been the only Patriots pass-catcher to record a touchdown and had a 30-yard reception in Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That usage made his practice-day status especially notable for coaches and game-planning staff.
What the injury means for Patriots tight end depth
With the Eli Raridon injury downgrade, New England will likely lean on more established tight end options while treating any projected snap distribution as tentative pending Friday’s practice and the official gameday report. Conservative language is appropriate here: a Thursday downgrade signals reduced participation but does not confirm a game-day absence.
Key tight-end notes based on the team’s reporting:
- Eli Raridon — non-participant Thursday after limited practice Wednesday; primary short-term availability question.
- Cameron Latu — played 11 snaps at tight end against Pittsburgh and is the most direct immediate replacement in passing situations.
- Tanner Arkin — was inactive last week; his role remains uncertain unless the club updates his status.
Coaches will likely emphasize depth packages and situational usage if Raridon is limited. Any changes to the rotation should be considered provisional until Friday’s practice and the official pregame report.
Other notable names on Thursday’s injury report
Thursday’s practice report included several other participation notes that could affect the upcoming game-day roster.
- Craig Woodson — shoulder; missed practice for a second straight day.
- Dre’Mont Jones — shoulder; missed practice for a second straight day.
- Quintayvious Hutchins — knee; missed practice for a second straight day.
- Dametrious Crownover — returned to full participation Thursday.
- Carlton Davis — full for a second straight practice after returning from a neck-related absence.
- Daquan Jones — returned to full participation after a Wednesday absence for personal reasons.
- Limited participants Thursday included Brenden Schooler (back), Morgan Moses (foot) and Reggie Gilliam (knee).
- The team also placed Mike Onwenu and Dell Pettus on injured reserve earlier in the week.
Those designations will be re-evaluated with Friday’s practice and the Saturday gameday report, which finalizes active/inactive status ahead of Sunday’s game.
Coach and team context
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr characterized the week’s practices positively for recent additions in the secondary, saying he liked how Jaylen Reed and Mike Brown practiced this week. That quote is a coach assessment and should be read as an opinion on practice performance rather than a medical or roster guarantee.
The club acquired Jaylen Reed in the trade that sent Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans; early coaching praise reflects initial impressions but not a definitive evaluation of season-long impact.
Key takeaways — tight end snapshot
- Eli Raridon’s Thursday non-participation is the primary availability concern for Patriots tight ends heading into Friday practice.
- Cameron Latu is the most direct immediate replacement based on recent snap usage; Tanner Arkin’s status is still unclear after being inactive last week.
- Any in-game rotating of tight-end packages should be treated as provisional until official gameday designations are posted.
Game-day outlook and what to watch Friday
New England has one more practice Friday before flying to Jacksonville. The team’s official gameday report, released the day before kickoff, will finalize Sunday’s designations. Fans, fantasy managers and bettors should focus on these checkpoints:
- Friday practice participation for Eli Raridon — does he return to limited or full participation?
- Coach comments after Friday practice for any clarity on Raridon’s likely role (coach quotes are assessments, not medical facts).
- Saturday’s official gameday report for final designations and any late scratches.
What to watch Friday (quick checklist)
- Patriots practice report: Raridon listed as full, limited, or did-not-participate.
- Any update to Tanner Arkin’s status after being inactive last week.
- Official gameday report for final availability and active/inactive lists.
Those items will be decisive for lineup decisions and will determine whether the Patriots rely more heavily on single-TE packages, two-TE formations featuring Latu, or increased use of traditional receivers and running backs in the passing game.
Frequently asked questions
What happened with Eli Raridon’s injury?
Raridon was listed as a non-participant on Thursday’s Patriots practice report with a thigh injury after being limited on Wednesday. The team’s injury reports provide minimal detail beyond participation designations.
Why does Eli Raridon’s injury matter?
Raridon has been a notable part of New England’s passing game through two games — he was the only Patriots pass-catcher with a touchdown and recorded a 30-yard catch against Pittsburgh. His availability affects tight end rotation and short-term passing-game planning.
What happens next?
Monitor Friday’s practice reports and the official gameday report. The team could update Raridon’s designation after Friday practice; until then, treat any game-day expectations as provisional.
Source attribution and next steps
This update is based on reporting from Boston.com. Original coverage: Khari A. Thompson, “Patriots rookie Eli Raridon’s status downgraded on latest injury report,” Boston.com, Sept. 24, 2026: https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/09/24/patriots-injury-report-eli-raridon-status-jaguars-comments/.
Update triggers: Friday practice participation updates, the official gameday report (released the day before kickoff), and any Patriots team announcements. Patriots Report will publish follow-ups after Friday practice and the Saturday gameday report if there are changes.
