"Just two days before their Week 17 clash, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) will be out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Vrabel also designated their fellow wideout DeMario Douglas (hamstring) as questionable for the contest. With injuries mounting at the position, the team may have to turn to undrafted rookie pass catcher Efton Chism III, a player who has seen zero regular season targets so far this year."
"Chism played college football at Eastern Washington, posting career totals of 346 catches for 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns over 53 games. During his senior campaign, the 2024 AP All-American First Team member set the school's single-season receptions record, previously held by Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp, on a screen pass he took 67 yards for a score."
"Despite his eye-popping collegiate production, Chism went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft amid concerns about his size (5'10", 195-lbs) and the level of competition increase he'd be facing coming into the pros from an FCS school. However, following a personal phone call from Vrabel, which helped convince Chism to sign with New England after the draft, he quickly started turning heads in training camp. Chism caught the attention of the Patriots' coaching staff with his quickness and sharp route-running, traits that had six other NFL teams interested enough during the pre-draft process"
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) are ruled out for Week 17 against the Jets, and DeMario Douglas (hamstring) is listed as questionable. Mack Hollins was placed on injured reserve, increasing depth concerns at the receiver position. Undrafted rookie Efton Chism III has seen zero regular-season targets but could assume a larger role in the final weeks and potentially into the playoffs. Chism recorded 346 catches for 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns at Eastern Washington and set the school's single-season receptions mark as a senior. Chism went undrafted due to size and FCS competition concerns but signed after a call from Mike Vrabel and impressed in camp with quickness and route-running.
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