Patriots bring back All-Pro cornerback via trade

The New England Patriots' cornerback depth has been decimated in recent weeks due to injuries. With four starters currently injured - including three expected to miss extended periods of time - the team made a trade on Wednesday morning to restock the top-end talent at the position.

As first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have acquired cornerback J.C. Jackson in a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. According to SI's Albert Breer, the Patriots are sending a 2025 sixth-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Jackson and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

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Jackson, 27, began his career with the Patriots as a UDFA out of Maryland in 2018. Over the next four years he moved into the Patriots' starting boundary cornerback role, replacing Stephon Gilmore during the 2021 season. That 2021 season was the best of Jackson's career, and he was named a second-team All-Pro.

Following that season Jackson was a free agent, and signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. In his time in LA though he never found the success he had in New England. He struggled early in the 2022 season, before suffering a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in Week 7. Jackson returned to the field this year, but was a healthy scratch two weeks ago and dressed but didn't play a snap last week.

Back in the Patriots' lineup, Jackson will likely slot back into his top boundary cornerback role. Rookie Christian Gonzalez, who was in that spot to start the season and played it at a high level, is now expected to miss the rest of the season due to a torn labrum, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gonzalez is just one of many Patriots cornerbacks out right now, with Jack Jones (hamstring) and Marcus Jones (shoulder) both on IR and expected to miss significant time. Meanwhile, Jonathan Jones (ankle) remains on the active roster but hasn't played in three weeks.

Off the field, there are two key questions surrounding Jackson's return to New England. The first is his contract. Entering the day the Patriots didn't have the cap space to fit Jackson's contract, according to Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan. That means a restructure is likely coming - either for Jackson or another Patriots player. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chargers are paying "the majority" of Jackson's $12 million salary this year. Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots will pay Jackson $1.5 million this year.

While the Patriots may need to open money to add Jackson, they don't need to add a roster spot. The team came into the week with 52 players on the 53-man roster.

Beyond 2023 Jackson's contract has no guaranteed money, so the Patriots have more flexibility at that point. Given his level of play since arriving in LA, it seems unrealistic the Patriots would have Jackson continue to play under the original deal he signed with the Chargers.

There's also the matter of an arrest warrant that was issues for Jackson in the state of Massachusetts last month. The warrant is due to Jackson's failure to show up in court for charges related to reckless driving and speeding charges from 2021. There has been no official update on the warrant's status since it was first reported on September 25. Jackson was also arrested in Massachusetts in December of last year for what was described as "a non-violent family issue."

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After a bad loss that saw the team lose multiple starters to injury, the New England Patriots look like they could use some help. The good news is, there could be some on the way this week.

The Patriots began the year with multiple projected starters or other contributors on either Injured Reserve (IR) or the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list. Players beginning the season those lists must miss at least four games, with Week 5 being the soonest they can be activated.

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Well, it's now Week 5. The Patriots have five players that could return to practice as soon as Wednesday.

In order for players to rejoin the active roster, first they are 'designated to return.' That means fully taking part in practice. Once players enter this window, the team has 21 days to officially add them to the active roster (and has to open up a roster spot to do so). Players in the 'designated to return' stage don't take up an active roster spot, but also aren't eligible to play in games until added to the active roster.

The process for players to return from IR or PUP is the same for both lists. However, for players on PUP the build-up can be a little more involved, given they didn't participate in any part of training camp and may be further from 'football shape.'

"We’ll see how that goes. That’s a possibility," Bill Belichick said when asked if the Patriots could have any players return this week. "As players come into that range of being eligible, then we ramp up the activity that they do to see how close they are and how well prepared they are. So, some of that will depend on how things went over the weekend and how things go Monday and Tuesday here before Wednesday’s practice for players like that. So, we’ll see how that goes. Maybe."

Here's a look at the five players who are eligible to return for the Patriots this week...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.