FOXBORO — It’s been said before, but Aaron Dobson has been presented with his latest opportunity to step up as a key contributor.

Dobson is among the group of Patriots wide receivers who should see an uptick in playing time in the wake of Julian Edelman’s broken foot, which will likely sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. And considering Dobson was targeted four times (one catch, 4 yards) during quarterback Tom Brady’s 10 pass attempts throughout last Sunday’s game-winning drive against the New York Giants, there’s reason to believe Dobson will be viewed a bit more favorably in the near future.

“Just like (coach) Bill (Belichick) always tells us, our role is what we make it,” Dobson said. “The opportunities that I get, I’m just trying to make the most of them.”

Dobson ranks seventh on the Patriots with 12 catches and 124 yards this season. As the Pats prepare for Monday night’s game against the Bills, it’s timely to note Dobson had his best game over the past two years in Week 2 at Buffalo with seven catches for 87 yards.

While tight end Rob Gronkowski and receivers Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell remain as mainstays in the offense, Dobson joins wideouts Keshawn Martin and Chris Harper and tight end Scott Chandler as targets who need to step up while Edelman recovers.

“Injuries are part of the game,” Dobson said. “It sucks that it goes that way. You never want anybody on your team, especially somebody with that role on your offense, to go down. You just have to step up.Other guys have to step up and take on another role or a bigger role than they already have. Just go out, make the best of your opportunities, play well and play fast.”

Since Dobson’s big game against the Bills, he has only managed four catches for 28 yards, and he was a healthy scratch twice. More than anything, he needs to improve his consistency.

“Every day, you’ve got to do the same thing every day,” Dobson said. “You’ve got to practice every day, the same level every day, consistently.”

Dobson was open deep on two of his late targets, but Brady underthrew him when he had a step on Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the first snap of the series. And New York defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hit Brady’s arm to prevent a big play when Dobson was wide open deep down the field.

It’s something to build from, and it’s up to Dobson to take advantage of another open door.

“I’m coming out to practice regardless of what happens on Sundays,” Dobson said. “I’m trying to get myself better as a player, help myself get better, help the guys I’m going against to get better. I’m trying to help the team, help myself and just keep grinding away. It’s a long season.”

Collins update

It’s time to end an unfounded Internet rumor.

At this point, there’s no reason to believe linebacker Jamie Collins has MRSA, an infection caused by a staph bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

The Patriots have not shut down any portions of Gillette Stadium to disinfect for MRSA over the past two weeks, according to a source. That’s the standard, recommended practice during an outbreak, and the Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have each cleansed their facilities in recent years when dealing with MRSA diagnoses.

Collins has been on the injury report with an illness since Nov. 7, and he hasn’t practiced for two weeks. The Patriots are preparing to play without him again on Monday.

“We’ve got to play with the guys we have,” safety Patrick Chung said. “Things happen throughout the whole season. You have to play with the guys you have and see the best you can do with the guys who are playing. So I think we’ll be all right.”

Collins’ official diagnosis has not been disclosed, but his teammates have continued to hope for a speedy recovery.

“Jamie is a great friend of mine,” defensive end Chandler Jones said. “He’s a great leader. Mostly, he’s a tremendous football player. I think we all know that. It’s tough not having him on the field right now, but the biggest thing is stepping up. We preach it all the time about the next guy stepping up, and that’s exactly what we do.”

Ryan being Ryan

The Buffalo media asked Bills coach Rex Ryan yesterday about his testy moments during Thursday’s conference call with Boston reporters. Predictably, Ryan kept the story alive.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ryan said. “I mean, you know, it’s New England week, man. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not real fond of New England right now. No, it’s just the way it is, man.”