Four players did not travel to Pittsburgh for the team’s game Thursday night against the Steelers: rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder), running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and cornerback Shaun Wade (illness).

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder), offensive tackle Trent Brown (ankle/hand) and wide receivers DeVante Parker (knee) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) are questionable to play.

It would not be surprising to see a wide receiver brought up from the practice squad to fill in for Douglas and Boutte. Malik Cunningham and T.J. Luther are the options there. Running back Kevin Harris also could be a candidate for a practice squad elevation to fill in for Stevenson along with Ezekiel Elliott, Ty Montgomery and JaMycal Hasty. Rookie cornerback Alex Austin also could make his Patriots debut with Wade out. If the Patriots don’t believe Austin is ready, they still have Breon Borders and Azizi Hearn on the practice squad for potential elevations.