Patriots designate three players to return from IR/PUP…with one notable exception
Players placed on IR or PUP to start the NFL season have to miss at least four weeks before they can return to play. That makes Week 5 a notable benchmark for player returns.
The New England Patriots have five players who became eligible to return this week. At Wednesday’s practice – the first of the week – three of those players were spotted on the field. That indicated their three-week window to return has begun. Players not activated within the three weeks revert to IR/PUP and become ineligible to play for the rest of the season.
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Offensive lineman Riley Reiff, defensive lineman Trey Flowers, and special teamer Cody Davis were all on the field with the Patriots Wednesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The team now had three weeks to add these players to the active roster – players not activated within the three week window revert to wither IR or PUP and become ineligible to play for the remainder of the year.
Reiff, who was signed as a free agent back in the spring, began training camp as the Patriots’ starting right tackle. After struggling in that spot he kicked inside to guard and played well, until injuring his knee in the preseason finale against the Giants. He was then placed on IR after the initial roster was set.
When Reiff returns, the Patriots have two main options for how to use him. The first would be putting him back at right tackle, where Calvin Anderson started the season before being replaced by Vederian Lowe two weeks in. Another move that could be made would be moving Mike Onwenu out to right tackle and putting Reiff at right guard, where he was more successful this summer. That being said, the Patriots have been against the idea of moving Onwenu out to right tackle since the start of last season.
![Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/08/USATSI_21121671-copy.jpg)
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Both Flowers and Davis are returning from PUP, meaning this was the first time they’ve been on the field all season. Flowers was signed by the team in early August and almost immediately put on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury. With the team now needed depth on the edge following Matthew Judon’s elbow surgery, Flowers could find snaps in that role.
Davis was rehabbing from a significant knee injury he suffered last season. He will likely slot into his old special teams role when cleared.
As mentioned above, the Patriots now have three weeks to officially add each of the three players to the active roster. They’ll need a corresponding move to do so, but likely have at least two roster spots opening up with Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez expected to go on IR.
While Reiff, Flowers, and Davis all returned, there are still two Patriots players on IR who were eligible to return this week but weren’t spotted at practice – wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and cornerback Jack Jones.
![LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/07/GettyImages-1450148042-copy.jpg)
Tyquan Thornton of the New England Patriots reacts during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Thornton, who injured his shoulder during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of the preseason, had been posting on social media in recent days showing himself working out in the team facility. That led some to believe he’d be back this week.
With Jones, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported last week that the team expects him to remain out until ‘midseason,’ so his continued absence isn’t much of a surprise. Jones injured his hamstring in practice in the lead-up to Week 1.
Outside of the players returning from IR and PUP, there were no surprises at Patriots practice on Wednesday. Judon and Gonzalez were the only players currently on the active roster not spotted on the field.
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 [email protected].
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