In a setback for the New England Patriots, standout rookie wide receiver Demario 'Pop' Douglas continues to be sidelined due to a concussion he suffered over a week and a half ago against the Giants. Douglas, who missed the team's game against the Chargers, has yet to return to practice, making it highly unlikely that he will be able to suit up for the upcoming clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

Douglas, who has been a key contributor to the Patriots' offense this season, has recorded an impressive 36 catches for 410 yards. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team as they face a formidable opponent in the Steelers. With a number of other receivers also dealing with injuries, the Patriots will have to rely on their depth at the tight end position and the remaining healthy receivers to fill the void left by Douglas.

Adding to the injury concerns for the Patriots is running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who is almost certain to miss the upcoming game against the Steelers after suffering a high ankle sprain during the team's recent loss to the Chargers. Stevenson, one of the few bright spots on the Patriots' struggling offense, has rushed for 619 yards on 156 carries, averaging 4.0 yards per carry, and has scored four touchdowns, tying for the team high.

The absence of Stevenson will place a heavier load on veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, who will be the primary ball carrier for the Patriots on Thursday night. Elliott, who has rushed for 429 yards on 112 carries this season, will need to step up and provide a spark for the struggling offense.

The Patriots' practice report reveals that several other players are dealing with injuries, including wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who has been placed on injured reserve, and Kayshon Boutte, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Devante Parker, who are all nursing various ailments. Backup running back Ezekiel Elliott is also listed on the report with a thigh injury but is expected to play through it.

The Patriots' offensive struggles have been palpable in their recent games, failing to score more than 10 points in their last three outings. In fact, according to CBS Sports, they are the first team since 1938 to lose three consecutive games without allowing the opposition to score more than 10 points. With an average of just 12.3 points per game, the Patriots currently rank last in scoring offense in the league.

As the Patriots prepare to face the Steelers without key offensive weapons like Douglas and Stevenson, they will need to find ways to overcome their offensive woes and regain their scoring touch. The team's depth at the tight end position and the rest of the receiving corps will need to step up to fill the void left by the injured players and help turn the team's fortunes around.