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…
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.
