New England Patriots
Craig Woodson and Dre’Mont Jones didn’t practice on Wednesday in Foxborough.
Craig Woodson didn’t practice on Wednesday after suffering a shoulder injury on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
September 23, 2026
3 minutes to read
The toll of a painful win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon showed up on the practice field for the Patriots on Wednesday.
New England began their prep work for a Week 3 road matchup against the Jaguars without a few starters — as safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) both did not participate in practice
Rookie edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins also did not participate due to a knee injury.
Fullback Reggie Gilliam (knee), right tackle Morgan Moses (foot), offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover (knee) and tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) were also limited during Wednesday’s practice.
It’s another setback for a Patriots team that has been stung by the injury bug to start the 2026 season.
Star wideout A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Seahawks, while several key players on New England’s depth chart went down with injuries in Sunday’s home opener against Pittsburgh.
Jones, Woodson, and Raridon all left Sunday’s game early, while New England also lost starting offensive lineman Michael Onwenu and safety Dell Pettus in the same game. Both Onwenu and Pettus have been placed on injured reserve this week — with Onwenu “feared” to have suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
With Onwenu out of the equation, veteran guard Greg Van Roten stands as the logical next man up on New England’s offensive line.
“He’s a smart player, good size, and I think, crafty,” Mike Vrabel said of Van Roten on Wednesday. “I think when you can stick around that long at that position, I think there’s durability and some craftiness. I mean, you’re not 26. You have to use some tricks of the trade. … So, we will get him working there with Morgan [Moses]. I think Walter [Rouse] will get some opportunities to go there and practice.
“Walter Rouse is a player we got from Minnesota who has been working really hard, and we will see how he does. Ben Brown is back and working. So, we’ll get a bunch of guys in there the next couple days and try to make a decision.”
Woodson’s potential absence could lead to more snaps for Jaylen Reed. Jones’ injury could also lead to more reps for rookie Gabe Jacas on a Patriots’ edge-rushing group that is already short on available bodies — especially with veteran Harold Landry Jr. still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
“I do not think Dre’Mont will do much today, I know that he is working hard to try to get back, and we will see where he is later on in the week,” Vrabel said Wednesday.
New England did sign edge rusher Jose Ramirez off their practice squad and to their 53-man roster on Wednesday as additional depth.
“He has been a really good practice player for us,” Vrabel said of Ramirez.” I think he has improved since the time he has been here. Multiple times being recognized by taking the reps that we talk about being on the show team and using those to his advantage.
“So, there will be an opportunity, we’ll see, for him to be able to help us this week when we get down to the 48-man roster.”
It wasn’t all bleak injury news for New England on Wednesday.
Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis did return to practice after missing Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh due to a neck injury, while special-teams ace Brenden Schooler took part in practice for the first time this season after starting the season on the PUP list.
Schooler can practice, but he’s not eligible to return to game action until Week 5.
Special teams ace Brenden Schooler participated in the media-access portion of practice Wednesday, indicating that the clock is starting on his return from the reserve/non-football injury list. pic.twitter.com/vmIQNKmWya
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 23, 2026
Patriots sign Mass. native, Holy Cross star
With New England signing Ramirez off the practice squad on Wednesday, the Patriots signed a local product to the practice squad, linebacker Benton Whitley.
Whitley hails from Springfield and was a standout at Minnechaug Regional High School before playing at Holy Cross.
During his tenure with the Crusaders, Whitley was a three-time First Team All-Patriot League selection (2019-21).
Whitley has appeared in six total games in the NFL with the Vikings and Giants — breaking up one pass and recovering a fumble.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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