‘We’ll see’: What Invoice Belichick stated about J.C. Jackson, injured gamers vs. Saints

Patriots

Jackson was reacquired by the staff earlier this week, however practiced on Thursday and Friday.

J.C. Jackson might make his official return to the taking part in area for the Patriots on Sunday. AP Picture/John Bazemore

The Patriots have a bunch of gamers who’re in limbo for Week 5.

The Pats had 10 gamers restricted in observe this week forward of Sunday’s sport towards the Saints. That doesn’t embody Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez, who’ve practiced this week though they reportedly have accidents that may value them a number of months, if not the remainder of the season.

That checklist of 10 gamers additionally doesn’t embody J.C. Jackson, who the Patriots reacquired this week once they traded for him from the Chargers. The cornerback practiced Thursday and Friday after information of the commerce broke on Wednesday.

Invoice Belichick left the door open for Jackson to play on Sunday.

“We’ll see. We’ll see the way it goes,” Belichick instructed reporters Friday when requested on Jackson’s potential availability for Week. “He bought a couple of snaps yesterday, see the way it goes at the moment. We’ve got a couple of shifting components right here, so simply bought to determine it out right here as we get to the tip of the week.”

Belichick appeared blissful to have Jackson again in New England, the place he performed for the primary 4 seasons of his profession earlier than signing with Los Angeles in 2022.

“Good to see J.C.,” Belichick stated. “You already know, attempt to get him caught up right here and see how that goes, however bought him in right here late Wednesday evening, Thursday, so catching up with him.”

Despite the fact that Jackson isn’t on the harm report, the Patriots might make a wholesome scratch on Sunday or simply choose to not play him. However the Patriots are skinny at cornerback coming into Week 5. Along with Gonzalez, each Marcus Jones and Jack Jones stay on injured reserve. Jonathan Jones has additionally missed the final three video games resulting from an ankle harm.

Belichick implied that Jonathan Jones has a shot of taking part in on Sunday.

“It’s good to have Jonathan again on the market this week,” Belichick stated. “He did some issues final week and was in a position to do extra this week. So, coming to the tip of the week and see the place we’re with him, however actually quite a bit nearer than he was this time final week.

“It would most likely be at the moment, possibly tomorrow, that we’ll decide on this, however I’d say that he’s bought an opportunity.”

This week marked the primary week that gamers on injured reserve and the bodily unable to carry out lists might observe. Riley Reiff, Cody Davis, and Trey Flowers had been the one three gamers from these lists to observe this week.

Belichick stated it was “good to have” all three gamers again out on the observe area within the lead as much as Sunday’s sport. Reiff might be essentially the most impactful return of the group, although. He earned snaps with the beginning unit at proper deal with throughout coaching camp and the preseason previous to getting positioned on injured reserve.

Because the Patriots’ offensive line has struggled within the early a part of the season, Belichick didn’t say whether or not Reiff was locked into both taking part in guard or deal with at this level.

“It’s at all times good to have versatility when you may have it, not everyone offers you that, however some guys do,” Belichick stated. “He’s snug taking part in totally different spots. Some guys must lock in to 1 spot, and he’s snug doing a number of issues. He offers us that versatility if we want it, at each spots — guard and deal with.”