The New England Patriots put a quarterback on injured reserve this week, however it wasn’t Mac Jones. And he isn’t even formally out for Sunday’s recreation both.
Injured reserve seemed the previous Alabama All-American’s subsequent forestall after the X-ray room when he hopped off the sector on Sept. 25, not able to place any weight on his left leg after New England’s ultimate offensive snap in a 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
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But Patriots trainer Bill Belichick spent 4 days pronouncing “day-by-day” and “we’ll see” ahead of New England declared one week in the past that Jones would no longer play within the subsequent recreation.
Instead, Brian Hoyer began at quarterback for the Patriots towards the Green Bay Packers. But the 13-year veteran made it thru most effective 15 snaps ahead of maintaining a concussion.
Rookie QB Bailey Zappe completed the 27-24 loss to the Packers for the Patriots on Sunday.
The concussion proved severe sufficient for Hoyer to be put on injured reserve on Thursday.
New England’s harm and follow document for this week presentations Jones as a restricted player on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and lists his recreation standing as in doubt, a step up from out.
Asked on Friday who would get started at quarterback for New England towards the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Belichick mentioned: “We’ll see.”
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Belichick’s most effective feedback on Jones this week out of doors the day-by-day/we’ll see circle of relatives of cliches got here on Wednesday, when the trainer mentioned: “He’s definitely made progress.”
NFL Network and ESPN reported Jones had suffered a prime ankle sprain, however the Patriots have no longer elaborated at the harm instead of the “ankle” list at the harm and follow participation document.
New England made one different quarterback transaction this week, signing Garrett Gilbert to the follow squad. Gilbert spent 15 weeks of the 2021 season at the Patriots’ follow squad.
With Jones’ in doubt designation, it seems that most probably Zappe will make his first NFL get started on Sunday. If Jones isn’t in uniform as an emergency backup, the Patriots can raise Gilbert from the follow squad to have two quarterbacks to be had.
“He’s gotten a lot more snaps, which is always a good thing for a quarterback and timing and communication,” Belichick mentioned of Zappe. “Definitely making progress with more experience and more opportunity.”
Zappe mentioned Jones have been “very helpful” in serving to him get ready.
Last week’s recreation was once the primary in Jones’ NFL occupation that he had no longer began. After becoming a member of New England because the fifteenth variety within the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones took 1,065 of the Patriots’ 1,106 offensive snaps remaining season. This 12 months, Jones performed each and every snap within the first 3 video games.
The Patriots and Lions will sq. off at midday CDT Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Each crew has a 1-3 report.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports activities reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.