It’s Friday at Gillette Stadium, but New England is acting like it’s a Thursday. The Patriots will host the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football later this week. I will take you in-depth on the Patriots’ Friday Practice report as they prepare for the Bears.
Cornerback Shaun Wade was the lone player absent on Friday, although the Patriots didn’t list him on the injury report (he is reportedly battling an illness). Wade made his season debut last Sunday with nine snaps on defense and three on special teams.
Quarterback Mac Jones was one of ten players listed limited for the Patriots. Jones hasn’t played since his injury in Week 3, but he expects to play this week. According to coaches, Jones has not been cleared by the team’s doctors yet but has been “improving his mobility” daily. If Jones is good to go, he will start; otherwise, it will be Bailey Zappe under center.
Wide receiver Nelson Agholor was back on the field Friday after missing Thursday’s practice due to a hamstring injury. Agholor was inactive last Sunday against Cleveland. He has 14 receptions for 225 yards and one touchdown through five games thus far.
Tight end Jonnu Smith suffered an ankle injury against the Packers in Week 4 and has been limited since. However, Smith was upgraded to a full participant today, meaning he is cleared and has no injury designation for Sunday. Last week Smith had his biggest game with the Patriots.
In other injury news, New England listed running back Damien Harris as a full participant. Harris suffered a hamstring injury during the first quarter of the Lions game in Week 5.
DL Lawrence Guy and DL Christain Barmore were among the limited participants. Barmore suffered a knee injury in Cleveland and was ruled out at halftime, while Guy has not played since the Ravens game.
The Chicago Bears listed 0 players on their injury report yesterday, 10/20, and today, 10/21, as they are 100% healthy. The forecast is projecting a rainy game, so the Patriots need to have their best health coming into Monday. They will have their final practice tomorrow before they have a walkthrough Sunday.
Full Patriots injury report
QB Mac Jones (ankle)
WR Nelson Agholor (hamstring)
WR Kendrick Bourne (toe)
OT Isaiah Wynn (shoulder)
G Mike Onwenu (ankle)
DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder)
DT Christian Barmore (knee)
LB Josh Uche (hamstring)
CB Jalen Mills (illness)
CB Jonathan Jones (ankle)
The Patriots will kick off at 8:15 on ESPN Monday Night.
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.
