New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel also announced who will replace Mike Onwenu at right guard Sunday.
The New England Patriots are still feeling the effects of several injuries suffered in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Some players have recovered well since Sunday, but others haven’t been as fortunate.
Here’s the Patriots’ full Friday injury report entering Week 3’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road.
2 linebackers ruled out
New England will be even thinner at linebacker Sunday than it was in its first two contests.
The team ruled out Quintayvious Hutchins (knee) and Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) after the pair each missed all three practices this week.
Jones left last Sunday’s game in the second quarter following the Patriots’ viral blindside hit of Aaron Rodgers. Jones’s left shoulder appeared to be in a lot of pain after chasing the fumble, which Elijah Ponder ultimately brought to the end zone.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said on Monday that Jones was going to “do everything he can to be ready” to play in Jacksonville. He’ll have to wait at least another week to return to the field.
The Patriots also ruled out fellow LB Hutchins and placed him on injured reserve, further ailing the team’s pass rush heading into Week 3. Hutchins played 27 total snaps between defense and special teams last week (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss), so his presence will be missed on both fronts.
New England began this season already thin at LB with Harold Landry on the physically unable to perform list because of a lingering knee injury. The earliest he can return is Week 5 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
The active LBs on the Patriots’ roster are as follows:
Christian Elliss
Erick Hunter
Gabe Jacas
Darius Muasau
Namdi Obiazor
Elijah Ponder
Jose Ramirez
Robert Spillane
Vrabel said on Friday that “everybody’s preparing as a starter” when asked if Jacas is responding to having a bigger role in practice this week as injuries pile up at the position.
2 key starters questionable
Two important starters on both sides of the football are at risk of being sidelined Sunday.
Tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) are questionable to play after each suffering injuries last week.
Raridon was a limited practice participant on Wednesday, but did not practice on Thursday or Friday. The rookie’s lack of availability recently is a bad sign heading into the weekend for the only Patriots pass-catcher with a touchdown so far this season.
If Raridon is unable to suit up, Cameron Latu and fellow rookie Tanner Arkin will have to step up big time behind veteran Hunter Henry against Jacksonville.
Woodson, however, progressed differently than Raridon this week. He missed Wednesday’s practice, but was limited on Thursday and Friday.
Despite being spotted with a sling on his arm postgame last weekend, Woodson has a non-zero chance at playing in Week 3. He played 51 total snaps (46 on defense), so there would be big shoes to fill if he’s ultimately inactive, especially considering fellow S Dell Pettus was placed on injured reserve this week.
Who will start at right guard?
Vrabel announced Greg Van Roten will start at right guard in place of Mike Onwenu, who landed on injured reserve after suffering a significant ankle injury against Pittsburgh.
Van Roten, a 12-year NFL veteran, replaced Onwenu for the rest of the game. He played 40 total snaps at RG and played well in Onwenu’s absence.
Vrabel had floated playing rookie Caleb Lomu at the position this week, but Van Roten will get the nod.
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