In less than 60 minutes, rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will start against the Cleveland Browns. The Patriots seek to improve to 3-3 even while they have key players ruled out.
Patriots inactive list:
WR Nelson Agholor
S Joshuah Bledsoe
DT Lawrence Guy
RB Damien Harris
CB Jonathan Jones
QB Mac Jones
LB Josh Uche
Along with Mac Jones, starters Damien Harris, Lawrence Guy, Jonathan Jones, and Nelson Aghlor have all been ruled OUT.
Jones walked out onto the field at First Energy Stadium this morning but did not partake in any warmups and went to the locker room quickly after a few throws. That was an early indication Jones would be inactive. He has been battling a high ankle sprain since week three, but the expectation is that he will be ready to go Monday night against the Bears.
Furthermore, Damien Harris’s absence will greatly impact the Patriots offense. The Browns rushing defense ranks last, according to football outsiders. It will be another heavy workload for second-year back Rhamondre Stevenson. Last week Stevenson ran for 161 yards on 25 carries. (6.0 YPA)
Additionally, DL Lawrence Guy is inactive, which is unfortunate for the Patriots since the Browns have the strongest rushing attack in the NFL. Rookie Sam Roberts should see more snaps this week.
S Joshuah Bledsoe and LB Josh Uche were healthy scratches.
Brown’s inactive list:
DE Jadeveon Clowney
RB Demetric Felton
G Drew Forbes
OT Joe Haeg
OT Christopher Hubbard
QB Kellen Mond
CB Denzel Ward
The Patriots and Browns will kick off at First Energy stadium at 1:00 p.m.
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.