HEADLINES

Marcus Jones

Patriots Could Pursue CB Depth

July 18th, 2024 at 7:16pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots’ cornerbacks corps is set to look a bit different in 2024. Myles Bryant, Jalen Mills, and J.C. Jackson accounted for 1,743 snaps last season but are no longer on the roster. The team can still feel comfortable atop their depth chart; Jonathan Jones returns after emerging as an outside CB in 2023, and the team will also welcome back 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez, who was limited to only four games as a rookie thanks to a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder.

However, the depth behind that duo remains questionable, and that could lead the Patriots to pursue some reinforcement. As Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes, the organization could be in the market for a cornerback if somebody “doesn’t emerge in the first couple weeks of camp.”

Volin is confident that the team has a temporary answer to replace Bryant in the slot, with former Bills draft pick Alex Austin having impressed the organization down the stretch last season. Otherwise, the team is eyeing some uninspiring options.

Shaun Wade started six of his 14 appearances last season, but the former Ravens fifth-round pick isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. Marcus Jones impressed on special teams as a rookie but only saw a part-time role on defense. Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to only two games in 2023, Jones will once again have to prove himself as a cornerback. The rest of the team’s depth includes the likes of sixth-round rookie Marcellas Dial and 2023 seventh-round pick Isaiah Bolden.

If the Patriots’ staff realizes they only have two or three capable CBs, the team could pivot to free agency. Volin specifially points to Jackson, who remains unsigned. The veteran was acquired by New England via trade in October, and he started six of his eight appearances during his second stint with the team.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore remains unsigned, and the cornerback recently expressed interest in a reunion with the organization. Xavien Howard, Patrick Peterson, and Adoree’ Jackson are also still free agents, although there’s a chance the rebuilding squad just prefers to take a chance on an unproven talent.

Patriots CB Marcus Jones Out For Season

October 24th, 2023 at 1:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots have been hit hard by injuries in the secondary this season, and their situation on that front has worsened. Marcus Jones‘ injury will shut him down for the rest of the season, receivers coach Troy Brown said on Tuesday.

The fact that an offensive position coach broke the news demonstrates Jones’ versatility, and his absence will be felt on offense, defense and special teams. The 25-year-old was placed on IR last month due to a torn labrum. He was thus forced to miss at least four weeks, but today’s news means he will be sidelined until the start of the 2024 campaign.

Jones’ biggest impact as a rookie came on special teams, as he led the league in punt return yards. That earned him a first-team All-Pro nod, and showcased his long-term value for the Patriots in the third phase. The Houston alum also carved out a role for himself on defense, though, starting four games at corner and recording a pair of interceptions. Jones added 18 snaps on offense last year and one in 2023, but his absence will most acutely affect the Patriots’ secondary.

First-round rookie Christian Gonzalez is out for the year, and his injury will leave new England without their emerging No. 1 cover man. Jack Jones has also missed time this season, although he was activated in time for Week 7. With Marcus Jones out of the picture now, plenty of the team’s workload in the secondary will fall on Jack Jones and J.C. Jackson, who was brought back to Foxboro via trade after his Chargers stint came to a disappointing end.

Jones had only logged three punt returns this season, so the Patriots will be relatively unaffected on special teams with him shelved for the campaign. The team’s offense, which has generally struggled throughout the year, will also be without a gadget player as Jones turns his attention to rehab ahead of his third NFL season.

Patriots To Place CB Marcus Jones On IR

September 21st, 2023 at 6:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots will be without a key defensive back for the foreseeable future. Marcus Jones suffered a torn labrum during New England’s loss to Miami on Sunday night, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports that the second-year pro has landed on injured reserve.

Jones was one of New England’s lone bright spots in 2022. The rookie third-round pick ended up earning first-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL in punt return yards. He finished the season with one punt return touchdown, with the score serving as a game-winner during New England’s Week 11 win over the Jets.

Jones wasn’t just a standout on special teams. He got into more than a third of his team’s defensive snaps, finishing with 39 tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions (including a pick six). He even added a 48-yard touchdown reception, making him the first NFL player in 45 years to score on offense, defense, and special teams in one season.

Through two games this season, the 24-year-old was serving in much the same role as 2022. He started one of his two appearances, getting into 44 defensive snaps, nine ST snaps, and one offensive snap.

Jonathan Jones missed Week 2 for the Patriots. While the veteran cornerback returned to practice in a limited fashion yesterday, he’ll likely be listed as questionable for this weekend’s matchup against the Jets. Jack Jones is also on IR, meaning New England could be forced to dig into their depth chart on Sunday. Besides first-round rookie Christian Gonzalez, the only healthy CBs on New England’s active roster are Shaun Wade and rookie sixth-round pick Ameer Speed.

The Patriots could turn to veteran Jalen Mills, who has mostly seen time at safety this season. New England will also likely turn to at least one of their practice squad cornerbacks, a grouping that includes Breon Borders, Azizi Hearn, and William Hooper. The Patriots also added cornerbacks Breon Borders and Azizi Hearn to the taxi squad today.