The Patriots will be down a trio of starters – one in each phase of the game – for Saturday’s game against the Bengals. Wide receiver DeVante Parker (concussion), cornerback Jalen Mills (groin), and long snapper Joe Cardona (ankle) were all ruled out on Thursday’s injury report.

Parker will miss his second game in a row. He suffered that concussion last Monday night against the Cardinals. In his absence last week, rookie Tyquan Thornton (knee) saw an increase in reps. Thornton is questionable this week, as is another wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers (shoulder).

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Mills will miss a fourth consecutive game, with his last action coming on Thanksgiving against the Vikings. With Jonathan Jones (chest) and Jack Jones (knee) questionable, the Patriots could be thin at the position once again. Rookie Marcus Jones could be put in the spotlight once again, after playing every defensive snap last week and regularly lining up across from Davante Adams.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mike Reiss is reporting that Cardona will be out for the year due to a torn tendon in his foot. According to Reiss, Cardona partially tore the tendon two weeks ago against the Cardinals then played through the injury last week, and further aggravated it.

With Cardona out, the Patriots will likely turn to rookie Tucker Addison as the snapper on Saturday. Addison was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad earlier this month, and spent the spring with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

The Patriots have two other players on the injury report, with running backs Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Damien Harris (thigh) listed as questionable. Tackle Yodny Cajuste (calf/back) was removed from the report all together.

Cincinnati is only ruling out defensive end Sam Hubbard (calf). However, the Bengals do have two of their rotational corners questionable in Jalen Davis (thumb) and Cam Taylor-Britt (shoulder).

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].