Jack Jones out, 5 others questionable forward of Patriots’ season opener

Patriots

The Patriots shall be with out a minimum of one participant in opposition to the Eagles on Sunday.

Jack Jones won’t be out there in opposition to the Eagles Week 1. (AP Photograph/Jeffrey Phelps)

The Patriots shall be with out one of many high items of their secondary in opposition to the Eagles in Foxborough on Sunday.

Second-year cornerback Jack Jones is listed as “out” on the workforce’s Friday harm report. New England says Jones is coping with a hamstring harm. 

Earlier this week, head coach Invoice Belichick mentioned he anticipated the 25-year-old to be out there Week 1. Belichick instructed reporters Friday morning that Jones is present process testing for his harm and hinted that his standing would change. 

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported this morning that Jones could be “anticipated to overlook a while” with the harm. He was restricted in follow on Wednesday however was not seen on the sphere Thursday or Friday.

Whereas Jones is the one participant definitively not enjoying on Sunday, 5 others are listed as “questionable” 48 hours earlier than kickoff.

Quarterback Matt Corral (not harm associated), proper guard Mike Onwenu (ankle), huge receiver DeVante Parker (knee), working again Rhamondre Stevenson (sickness), and left guard Cole Unusual (knee) shall be gameday selections. Corral and Stevenson didn’t follow on Friday, although the opposite three did take part on a restricted foundation. 

Even when all 5 different people do go well with up Sunday afternoon, merely lacking a physique in New England’s secondary in opposition to this Eagles offense is trigger for concern. The weakened unit, which options veteran Jonathan Jones and rookie Christian Gonzalez, will try to decelerate the Eagles dynamic receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

As for the Patriots’ offensive line, not having Onwenu and Unusual out there could be one other powerful blow. First-year lineman Atonio Mafi is the one different guard, proper or left, listed on New England’s depth chart behind Onwenu and Unusual.

The Patriots’ offensive safety was shaky all through the preseason. They are going to be suiting up in opposition to a Philadelphia protection that totaled 70.0 sacks final season. With names corresponding to Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and Josh Sweat up entrance, the Eagles pose a serious risk to an ailing and unsure New England offensive line.

A doubtlessly depleted offensive line can also not bode properly for beginning Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. His solely backup on the 53-man roster, Corral, being listed as questionable offers Invoice Belichick extra selections to make. New England has quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham on their follow squad if they should name on any person to again up Jones.

Jones is also with out two of his high weapons in Parker and Stevenson on gameday. The Patriots are already anticipated to make the most of different high huge receivers corresponding to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne in addition to newly-signed working again Ezekiel Elliott. Nevertheless, they might be focused extra within the occasion Parker and Stevenson are unavailable in opposition to Philadelphia.

Though, it appears like Stevenson shall be good to go come gameday, according to MassLive‘s Karen Guregian. She says the 25-year-old is coping with a abdomen bug.

Kickoff is ready for 4:25 EST on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Gillette Stadium.