LAS VEGAS — Malik Cunningham — lately signed to the Patriots’ 53-man roster off of the follow squad — is Mac Jones’ new backup quarterback.
Patriots quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Will Grier are each inactive Sunday in opposition to the Raiders. Zappe will function the staff’s emergency third QB if Jones and Cunningham endure accidents. He would must be faraway from the sport if Jones and Cunningham are medically cleared.
Grier had served because the emergency third QB since signing off of the Bengals’ follow squad. Zappe has been the Patriots’ backup quarterback for the primary 5 weeks of the season.
Here’s the complete checklist of inactives:
WR Demario Douglas
OL Riley Reiff
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
LG Cole Strange
QB Will Grier
QB Bailey Zappe (third QB)
WR Kayshon Boutte
The thought course of on rookie Malik Cunningham serving as Mac Jones’ backup right this moment, per supply: It’s an upside play with Cunningham’s athleticism. The danger is that he turns the ball over, which the Patriots have already been doing.
Cunningham was signed off of the follow squad on Saturday. He’s set to make his NFL debut Sunday. The rookie, who signed a team-record contract for a rookie free agent with $200,000 in whole ensures, has practiced at huge receiver and quarterback for the Patriots. He was a four-year starter at quarterback at Louisville earlier than transitioning to huge receiver for the Patriots within the spring. He gave the Patriots’ offense a spark in restricted time at quarterback of their preseason opener in opposition to the Texans.
During pregame warmups, Cunningham caught kickoffs and caught passes however didn’t make any throws.
Wide receivers Tyquan Thornton, who was activated off of injured reserve on Saturday, and Jalen Reagor, who was elevated off of the follow squad on Saturday, are each lively. Boutte, a rookie is a wholesome scratch for the fifth straight week.
Douglas, Reiff, Smith-Schuster and Strange all had been dominated out Friday after not touring to Las Vegas.
The staff could have offensive linemen Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, Calvin Anderson, Sidy Sow and Jake Andrews out there to play.
Belichick mentioned Friday morning that Cunningham, 25, was “trending toward” a game-day lively spot.
“Yeah, Malik’s really worked hard and made a lot of improvement,” Belichick mentioned. “He never really played in the kicking game at Louisville, so he’s started to show up there, never played receiver – didn’t look very good either, in the spring, but he’s really improved there. He can catch the ball, but just route running and finding zones and things like that. But, it’s come pretty naturally to him. He plays a good amount of quarterback. He’s competent there. He’s a smart kid, works hard, and the opportunities he’s had, he’s shown a lot of improvement. It’s a little too early for an induction ceremony here, but definitely a lot of improvement.”
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien additionally known as Cunningham one of many staff’s most improved follow squad gamers.
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound talent participant went 3-of-6 for 19 yards as a passer and caught 1-of-8 passes for -1 yards as a receiver within the preseason.
Source: www.bostonherald.com