Patriots ready to turn to promising rookie following key defensive injuries
The New England Patriots’ defense is going to look a lot different moving forward. After suffering injuries last week, top pass rusher Matthew Judon (elbow) and Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) are expected to miss significant time, if not the rest of the season.
Not only are those two of the Patriots’ best defensive players playing key positions, they also had two of the highest usage rates on the unit. Prior to getting hurt, both led their respective positions in snaps played, with Gonzalez’s usage rate over 80 percent, and Judon’s right around 70 percent. How things will change schematically between the two players remains to be seen, but just who takes over those snaps is a question in and of itself.
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On Tuesday morning, linebackers coach and de facto co-defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo was asked about replacing those players, starting with Judon. “Judon’s been great for us. In the locker room, in the meeting room, on the field,” Mayo said. “We have other players – it’s not going to be just one guy. It’s going to be multiple guys trying to fill that role.”
“I feel pretty confident about the guys that are on the roster,” Mayo continued.
As a follow up, Mayo was asked about rookie second-round pick Keion White. White was a standout in training camp and has continued that momentum into the start of the regular season. Now, it sounds like the team is ready to give him more responsiblities with Judon out of the lineup.
“Keion has to – he’s going to play more,” Mayo said. “He’s going to play more, simply said. And we’ll really need him to show up.”
“Every week we try to put a little bit more on his plate,” Mayo said, talking about the progress White has made so far this year. “He’s one of these guys who, he kind of doesn’t fit in any mold like the [Deatrich] Wise category [as an edge-setter against the run] or the Judon category. He can kind of do both to a certain extent. He’s doing well and is growing each and every week in the classroom and one the field.”
As for Gonzalez and the cornerback position, Mayo didn’t give any specific names but did emphasize the team’s belief in the players currently on the roster.
“We have good players,” he said. “We have guys that can play in those roles. Obviously, it hurts to lose a guy like Gonzo. But at the same time – we’re kind of going through all of that whole process, the game plan process, right now. We feel pretty confident that we have guys that could fill that role.”
While the Patriots may be confident in their current group of cornerbacks, it is worth noting that the group, as things stand right now, is limited. Gonzalez will join Jack Jones and Marcus Jones on IR. While Jack Jones is eligible to be activated this week, he’s expected to miss more time. Jonathan Jones is still on the active roster but hasn’t played in three weeks due to an ankle injury.
That leaves the team’s only healthy full-time cornerbacks as Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade. Other options may include Jalen Mills who has played cornerback in the past but moved to safety this year, and rookie Ameer Speed, who was a cornerback in college but has played exclusively on special teams this year. The team also has Azizi Hearn and Breon Borders on the practice squad.
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Ultimately, making up for the losses of Judon and Gonzalez will go beyond just whoever fills those two spots individually. It will be a team effort, as Mayo pointed out.
“Look, it’s 11 guys out there on defense,” he said. “And those guys understand, when you do have an injury, there’s this next man up mentality.”
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Patriots have five players eligible to return from IR or PUP this week
WR Tyquan Thornton (IR)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ second-round pick in last year’s draft, Thornton suffered an undisclosed shoulder injury during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers in August. This is the second year in a row he’s missed the start of the season on IR.
Initial reporting following Thornton’s injury suggested he was “not anticipated being out for long.” In an offense that’s lacking explosiveness right now, his speed could be helpful if he gets back in the wide receiver rotation.
OL Riley Reiff (IR)
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Reiff was the Patriots’ biggest offensive line addition this offseason, but struggled at right tackle early in training camp. A few weeks in he kicked inside to right guard, where things looked a lot better before he injured his knee in the preseason finale.
There hasn’t been much reported on Reiff’s status, or his timeframe to return. If he is healthy though, the Patriots certainly could use offensive line help right now, both at tackle and guard.
CB Jack Jones (IR)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
With Christian Gonzalez injuring his shoulder on Sunday, the Patriots’ cornerback depth is now razor thin. Jonathan Jones has missed the last three games, with Jack Jones and Marcus Jones still on IR (Marcus Jones isn’t eligible to return until next week, but is expected to miss more time).
Jack Jones returning certainly would be a huge boost to the secondary right now, but it might not be in the cards. ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote on Sunday that “some around the team were targeting midseason as a more likely timetable” for Jones to return. Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice leading up to Week 1.
DL Trey Flowers (PUP)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Patriots signed Flowers in early August, and almost immediately put him on PUP with an undisclosed injury. Still, Flowers has been around the team, including being present at (but not participating in) a handful of practices throughout the summer.
It’s tough to tell where Flowers stands in terms of being ready to play. However, with Matthew Judon now expected to miss time, depth on the defensive line certainly is a need for the Patriots.
ST Cody Davis (PUP)
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cody Davis (22) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Davis is still recovering from a significant knee injury he suffered last October. While Davis remains around the team, there hasn’t been any reporting to suggest a return is close.
