Romeo Doubs Hurts Shoulder on Touchdown Catch, Ruled Out For Remainder Of Week 6

Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs left Sunday’s game against the Jets with a right shoulder AC joint sprain suffered on a touchdown catch.

Initially he was listed as questionable to return and could have potentially gone back in the game with a numbing injection to manage the pain.

However after not returning in the first half, Doubs was ruled out early in the 2nd half.

What is an AC Joint Sprain?

The AC joint sits at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, and sprains there typically come from a fall or a direct blow, which fits a receiver landing hard in the end zone.

A numbing injection is a common tool for players with AC joint sprains. It dulls the pain in the joint so a player can compete, but it does not repair the ligaments, and the effect fades over a few hours. Team physicians generally say it helps most when a player still has full motion and strength, and that a hard hit before the joint heals can set him back. Teams sometimes pair it with an anti-inflammatory injection after the game to help recovery.

New England Patriots Wide Receiver Injuries

The timing is awkward for New England. Doubs has become the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver in recent weeks with A.J. Brown out with a severe ankle injury, and he scored two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Bills. The Patriots also turn around quickly, with a Thursday night game at Chicago on October 22, just four days after today’s game. Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III would see more work if Doubs is limited or out.

When Will Romeo Doubs Return From His Shoulder Injury

The timeline depends on the grade of the sprain. A mild Grade 1 sprain often means a week or less, and some players play through it with padding or a brace, which would put Doubs in play for Thursday. A Grade 2 sprain typically runs two to four weeks, which would likely mean missing the Bears game and at least one more. A Grade 3 sprain, involving a complete ligament tear and a visible separation, can mean four to eight weeks or longer and sometimes requires surgery.

Romeo Doubs Injury History

Doubs has dealt with other upper-body injuries in the past. He left a Week 16 game against the Bears last season with a wrist injury after failing to cleanly field an onside kick, was questionable to return, and the issue was later described as not concerning. He also suffered a sternum bruise in Week 18 of 2023 against the Bears that sent him to a hospital for testing and was reportedly not serious. At Nevada, he hurt his shoulder going up for a touchdown against Fresno State in November 2019.