Patriots cornerback room takes another major hit
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Patriots slot corner Jonathan Jones will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Monday.
The 28-year-old veteran had played 79 of a possible 80 games in his first five NFL seasons, and his total defensive snaps had risen every year. Jones suffered the injury during a Week 6 matchup with the Cowboys, in which he broke up a touchdown catch in the end zone and returned to the game after being hurt. The Patriots recently placed Jones on injured reserve.
Second-year cornerback Myles Bryant recently signed to the Patriots’ 53-man roster off the practice squad. He started Sunday’s 54-13 win over the New York Jets and played 86 percent of defensive snaps (56 total). Bryant filled out the stat sheet with a forced fumble and a sack on a corner blitz, and six total tackles.
Bryant’s coverage also factored into the Jets finding ways to move the ball on a couple of drives. But overall, it was a promising performance for a cornerback meant to be a fill-in starter. Now, Bryant projects as the full-time guy at slot corner.
Jones’ season-ending injury is the latest big blow to the Patriots’ secondary. The first was a trade, when the Pats sent Stephon Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers for a 2023 sixth-round pick.
Elsewhere on the injury report, rookie cornerback Shaun Wade missed Sunday’s game with a concussion. The safety room is also banged up, after Devin McCourty had to exit Sunday’s win with an abdomen injury.
The Patriots will rely on J.C. Jackson to anchor the secondary against outside receivers, with Jalen Mills and Joejuan Williams also getting time on the perimeter. Barring a trade, of course, with the trade deadline coming on Monday, Nov. 2.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].
