FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: The New England Patriots helmet during the first half of a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Photo by Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots have a must-win game against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, but must head into that game with the loss of two players.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Mike Rice), cornerback Jack Jones and punter Jake Bailey have been moved from the reserve/injured list to the reserve/suspended list by the team. Reese said the move suggests that reserve status is no longer just about their injuries.
Jones was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots out of Arizona in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 13 games with 2 starts, 30 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pick 6, and 6 passes defended.
Bailey has been the Patriots’ starting punter since being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He earned Pro his bowl and All-Pro honors in his 2020 season, but was averaging only 42 yards per punt before his injury.
The Patriots have already picked up replacements for Jones and Bailey for several weeks, so the move is unlikely to affect their near-term playoff hopes with the Bills this weekend.
The bigger concern for the two is whether the offense that led to the suspension is serious enough to threaten a roster spot heading into the 2023 offseason.
The Patriots will face the Bills this Sunday at 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
