Why the Patriots' recent injury could define their season
New England Patriots (0-2) cornerback and first-team All-Pro punt returner Marcus Jones was placed on injured reserve Friday. Jones suffered a torn labrum, which can be season-ending, according to NFL's Ian Rapoport.
Jones' absence is especially tough news because the Patriots are also missing starting corner Jonathan Jones with an ankle injury. The timetable for J. Jones is unclear, but regardless, the Patriots will be without some of their top corners for the upcoming weeks of the season.
On top of having to meet their divisional rival Miami Dolphins once more and Buffalo Bills twice, the Patriots will be playing against the Cowboys, Chargers and Chiefs offense on weeks four, 13 and 15, respectively. Even with all of their players healthy, winning will be tough for New England. But without two of their top corners, winning will be even tougher.
If the Patriots defense wants to stay afloat until either of the Jones' return, then backup corners Jalen Mills and Myles Bryant will need to step up. In the past, overall, neither Mills nor Bryant have been particularly excellent at their position, but they both have managed to make several solid plays, which might give Patriots fans hope in their defensive back group.
The recent injury also means that standout rookie Christian Gonzalez will have an increased role for the time being.
Gonzalez has had an excellent start to his first season. He has already held his own against AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the first two weeks, but it remains unclear if he will be able to continue his solid start with less help in the secondary.
If the Oregon corner collapses in his new role, then the Patriots defense will be in crisis mode. As of now, however, because of his early season performance, fans have good reason to believe that Gonzalez will be just fine.
Unfortunately, even if Gonzalez excels, that might not be enough to limit some of the teams New England is slated to play. If the Patriots, who have dropped their first two games of the year, can not adjust quickly to their new set of challenges, the playoffs will soon fall out of reach.
The Patriots will have a chance to bounce back on Sunday, when they play the New York Jets at 1:00 P.M. EST.
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