The Patriots have announced that Mac Jones will make the trip to Cleveland though he remains questionable for Sunday. The team also said that starting CB Jonathan Jones and WR Nelson Agholor will be OUT.
Mac Jones has been out since week 3 when he suffered an ankle injury: he hopes to make a return this week. Belichick has not provided much information about Mac’s status saying he is “Day-to-Day” and “Doing his best.” If Jones can’t go, Bailey Zappe will get the start. Zappe made his NFL debut in week four, where he entered in the first quarter after backup Brian Hoyer exited. He went back and forth with Aaron Rodgers but lost in overtime. Last week he got the start and beat the Lions 29-0 in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
The Patriots didn’t rule out running back Damien Harris, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury that limited him to six snaps last week. Brown’s defense ranks 32nd in many categories, and it could help ease the load off of Rhamondre Stevenson if he is active.
The Patriots ruling out CB Jonathan Jones and WR Nelson Agholor is significant, as Jones has played like CB1 in New England, and Agholor has been providing sparks to the offense. Additionally, rookie cornerback Jack Jones is expected to play more snaps. He has had an interception in the past two weeks and is PFF’s highest-rated cornerback. However, Jones’s tackling ability is sub-par, and with a run-heavy Browns team, Myles Bryant or Jalen Mills could become a higher contributor. Furthermore, rookie Tyquan Thornton will take more snaps at receiver as he made his NFL debut last week, returning from the IR; Also Kendrick Bourne should also see more snaps.
The Patriots will have until 4:00 p.m. today to make any practice squad elevations, and WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey and CB Shaun Wade remain possibilities.
The New England Patriots kick off tomorrow, 10/16, at 1:00 on CBS.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
