New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots

  • What’s been a bizarre season for Patriots punter Jake Bailey could take another turn this weekend. Bailey, who has an All-Pro in 2020, has struggled to this point in the year. His 35.3 net yards per punt rank last in the NFL. No reason had been given for Bailey’s struggles, but the 25-year-old was added to the injury report this week for the first time this season with a back injury.

    “It’s not like it’s all bad, not like it’s all good. It’s just – it’s inconsistent,” Bill Belichick said Friday morning when asked about Bailey’s performance this season. “It’s just like any technical thing, a golf swing or a punter or whatever. There’s mechanics and consistency and execution of it. Again, there’s plenty of talent there and there’s been some rainbows out there like there always have been.”


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  • Now, it looks like that injury could potentially cost Bailey a game. The Patriots listed him as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. If Bailey can’t go, Michael Palardy would likely be elevated from the practice squad on Saturday. The team has until 4 p.m. to make any practice squad elevations.

    Palardy, 30, entered the NFL as a UDFA in 2014. After spending two years on practice squads and in the CFL he made his debut with the Carolina Panthers in 2016 and has appeared in 72 NFL games averaging 45.2 yards per punt. He was a free agent to start this season and was signed to the Patriots practice squad earlier this month.

    “He’s been a good punter, a good athlete. High school quarterback, kicked off, punted,” Belichick said when asked about Palardy on Friday. “A high school quarterback. He’s [been a holder], and he’s kicked. So, this a pretty athletic kid.”

  • One player has already been ruled out for the Patriots – defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee). This makes four games in a row Barmore has missed due to the injury, which he suffered during the Week 6 win against Cleveland. The exact nature of the injury has not been reported.

    UPDATE: The Patriots have placed Barmore on IR, per ESPN’s Field Yates. He’ll now miss at least four more games, and will first be eligible to return for the Week 15 matchup with the Raiders. 

    Three Patriots are listed as questionable for the game. That includes wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee), who got hurt on the first play of the first matchup against the Jets three weeks ago and hasn’t played since. Linebackers Josh Uche (hamstring) and Anfernee Jennings (back) are also questionable. Cornerback Jonathan Jones was removed from the injury report entirely after not practicing on Thursday due to an illness.

    For the Jets, wide receiver Corey Davis (knee) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (elbow) have both already been ruled out. Davis also missed the Week 8 matchup between these two teams. Tight end Kenny Yeboah (calf) is doubtful and guard Nate Herbig (shin) is questionable.

  • 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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