Marcus

Jones

Duggar did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran safety played through an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Bills, but the quad injury appears to be something new. In addition to Duggaer, the Patriots also listed safety Jabrill Peppers, LB Sione Takitaki, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as questionable, while ruling out cornerback Marcus Jones (hip).

The Patriots also declared CB Marcus Jones, G Tyrese Robinson, OL Lecitus Smith, QB Joe Milton III (3rd QB) and RB JaMycal Hasty inactive. Peppers and Jones are notable losses for the Patriots’ starting DB group. Fellow starting S Kyle Dugger (ankle/illness) will suit up after practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. The Bills’ passing offense should still be able to pick on the Patriots’ short-staffed secondary though.

It means the defensive depth piece/randomly-deployed offensive weapon must miss at least the next four games. In reality, it is probably a season-ending injury. It further thins a New England secondary already hit hard by injury.

New England will be without key defenders Mills and Jones in their matchup against Teddy Bridgewater and Miami’s terrifying wideout duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Parker (concussion) will miss another game. His absence should lead to more snaps and pass routes for Kendrick Bourne, who in Week 16 caught six passes for 100 yards and a score. Bourne is a reasonable WR3/4 option for Week 17.

A second-round rookie defensive back out of Houston, Jones played his first career snaps on offense this evening. On play No. 1, he took a quick screen and housed it for a 48-yard touchdown with his blazing speed. It was the kind of big play the Pats have desperately needed of late, but that lightning never struck twice. It’s also difficult to see it becoming a theme even though some in both the Patriots media and “draft Twitter” had speculated Jones might eventually see offensive handles. He was a two-way player for the Cougars in college. The elderly rookie (24) can be left on waiver wires even in 14-team leagues.

Jones (5’8/174) played 1,905 snaps across four seasons for both the Troy Trojans and Houston Cougars. Over his two years at Houston, he was one of the Cougars’ best defenders. He was also great in the return game posting as the FBS leader in punt return yards and was a first-team All-American as a punt returner. His senior year saw his best season as a corner, earning consensus All-American honors and the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player. He posted PFF grades of 89.5 and 87.8 over his two seasons with Houston with five interceptions and a staggering 12 pass breakups. A very twitchy athlete, Jones is a smooth mover that knows how to attack the football. His size is a massive limitation as a corner, likely limiting him to being a slot-only player, but his value as a return man with nine career kick return touchdowns helps ease those concerns.

Jones (5'8/185) is an electric playmaker on special teams, and opted out of the NFL Scouting Combine as well. He underwent shoulder surgery on both shoulders earlier this offseason, but confirmed with Wilson that he would be read for training camp. He will reportedly undergo a “medical recheck” on April 13th. Last season, Jones returned 15 kickoffs for 513 yards and two touchdowns, and returned another 26 punts for 374 yards and two scores. He has nine career special teams scores and should be locked into a return role wherever he lands.

Return specialist Jones (5'8/185) won’t be suiting up for the Birmingham Bowl and will instead be turning his attention to preparation for the 2022 NFL Draft. Jones was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year earlier this year, with his most notable play of the season being a 100-yard kick returned for a touchdown in a 44-37 win over SMU back in October. Expect him to continue to make an impact on special teams at the next level.

Jones (5'8/185) has been a weapon for the Cougars all season. As a kick returner, Jones returned 11 kicks for 421 yards and two touchdowns, with his most notable being a 100-yard return touchdown in a 44-37 win over SMU back in October. Jones has also returned 25 punts for 360 yards and another two touchdowns, but also made his impact felt on defense. Jones was likely in close contention for defensive player of the year as well. Per Pro Football Focus, he appeared on 552 defensive snaps, and only allowed 36 receptions on 75 targets for 526 yards and two touchdowns. Jones notched five interceptions on the season, and broke up 11 passes while allowing an NFL quarterback rating of 52.4. Jones also got a little work in on offense, catching 10-of-15 targets for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Jones, a return specialist that has made his presence felt multiple times already this year, got his 9th career return score to end this one. Just a few short seconds after SMU were celebrating their game-tying long field goal, Jones put the dagger in their hearts with a return touchdown with less than 20 seconds left in regulation. He received the kickoff for the first time (SMU had been avoiding him all game) two yards deep into this own end zone and ran it out, pretty much slicing right down the middle before emerging with everyone behind him. At that point, there was no catching him. Jones has made his name as probably the most prolific return man in the nation right now and one of the best ever when it’s all said and done. He’ll try to work his magic again next week when Houston takes on USF.