The 2026 season for the New England Patriots hasn't exactly gotten off to a strong start. They're 2-2 on the year, but there have been some real underlying issues plaguing this team.

Drake Maye has turned the ball over too much, the running game hasn't been working great, and now the defense is going to be in big trouble against the Las Vegas Raiders.

As Mike Reiss of ESPN shared, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that, alongside fullback Reggie Gilliam and wide receiver Mack Hollins, four cornerbacks have been ruled out for the team's Week 5 matchup against the Raiders.

Patriots rule out four cornerbacks for Week 5 matchup vs. Raiders

"CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Carlton Davis III, FB Reggie Gilliam, CB Karon Prunty, CB Channing Canada and WR Mack Hollins are all out vs. the Raiders, per Mike Vrabel," Reiss shared Friday.

This news is brutal for the Patriots' defense. The 2-2 Patriots facing the 3-1 Raiders are going to be without their top cornerbacks.

Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III are both out this weekend. That alone would be a huge issue. But to make matters worse, the Patriots are also going to be without a few key depth corners as well.

Karon Prunty and Channing Canada are both out as well, leaving Charles Woods as the only healthy cornerback on the roster, and even he's dealing with an injury.

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Kevin Byard, Jaylen Reed, Craig Woodson, and Mike Brown, along with likely multiple practice squad cornerbacks, will have the task of slowing down this Raiders' passing attack.

Fortunately, the Raiders' WR room isn't too difficult, but with Brock Bowers the focal point of the offense, New England might be in some serious trouble this weekend.

Being down just one cornerback would be concerning. The Patriots are missing four of their top five cornerbacks this season.

This might be the storyline of the week if the Patriots lose and the Raiders' WRs go off. Things aren't looking great for the Patriots this weekend, as the injuries have really begun to pile up.

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