Patriots head into Sunday's game with three healthy wide receivers

The Patriots will be going into Sunday’s game against the Saints with just three wide receivers, as New England made no personnel moves on Saturday involving the 53-man active roster.

It was thought that the Patriots might shuffle some personnel and call up the likes of DeMarcus Ayers from the practice squad. Ayers, who has special teams experience on his resume when he was with Pittsburgh, could also theoretically provide depth at the receiver position. But New England didn’t make a move with Ayers, which means that Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Brandin Cooks will comprise the totality of the Patriots’ wide receiving group against the Saints.

As we wrote here, with receiving corps looking awfully thin, expect the New England passing game to pivot a bit. The Patriots will rely on the receivers in the game, but will also expect running backs like Rex Burkhead, James White and Dion Lewis — as well as tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen — to step into the void.

The Patriots did make one personnel move, as they released offensive lineman Willie Beavers from the practice squad. They did not make a corresponding move, so they do have a practice squad spot open.