Chris Hogan Out vs. Steelers Because of Shoulder Injury

The New England Patriots announced wide receiver Chris Hogan is out for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a shoulder injury.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com first reported the news.

Hogan suffered the shoulder injury earlier in the season and missed four games. He had missed just one game during his previous four years in the league.

He turned in a career year in 2016, with 680 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the regular season and 332 receiving yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games on the way to a Super Bowl ring.

Hogan's role was elevated in 2017 when Julian Edelman tore his ACL in the preseason, and he has responded with 34 receptions for 439 yards and five touchdowns. He has the ability to beat defenders on deep routes with his speed but can also take advantage of openings underneath when opposing secondaries zero in on Brandin Cooks.

New England still has the combination of Cooks, Danny Amendola and Phillip Dorsett at wide receiver, although the injury to the receiving corps is yet another blow for quarterback Tom Brady and the rest of the offense as the Patriots strive to defend their Super Bowl crown.