Patriots quarterback Mac Jones traveled to Cleveland on Saturday, retaining the door open for him to make his first begin in three weeks.
Jones was listed as questionable on the Patriots’ harm report, as was operating again Damien Harris, who additionally traveled. Harris is coping with a hamstring harm he suffered final weekend towards the Lions. Both could possibly be headed in the direction of game-time selections Sunday in Cleveland, the place the Patriots will kick off towards the Browns at 1 p.m.
On Friday, Pats coach Bill Belichick indicated the workforce was taking a day-to-day method with Jones. Belichick mentioned his second-year quarterback could possibly be activated at any time.
The Pats additionally downgraded extensive receiver Nelson Agholor (hamstring) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle), indicating they didn’t fly with the workforce. To assist offset Agholor’s loss and the uncertainty below middle, the workforce elevated quarterback Garrett Gilbert and extensive receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from their observe squad to the game-day roster. Given his run-blocking expertise, Humphrey figures to take Agholor’s early-down duties, whereas Kendrick Bourne and rookie Tyquan Thornton cut up snaps in apparent passing sitautions.
Gilbert was elevated final week as the first backup to rookie Bailey Zappe, who went 17-of-21 for 188 yards with one landing and an interception in his first NFL begin. If Zappe begins Sunday, he’ll get pleasure from dealing with the league’s worst-ranked run protection by Football Outsiders’ opponent-and-situation-adjusted metric DVOA for the third straight week. Gilbert, a 9-year journeyman, signed to the Patriots’ observe squad two weeks in the past.
If Jones returns, his left ankle ought to nonetheless have some instability, based on an NFL Network report. He hasn’t performed since Sept. 25, when successful from Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell induced the excessive ankle sprain that enormously restricted his mobility in observe final week. If he performs, Jones would additionally return forward of schedule for a excessive ankle sprain, which usually requires 4 to 6 weeks of restoration.
Source: www.bostonherald.com