Mac Jones has missed his practice for the first time since joining the New England Patriots. The team announced today he missed practice due to a non-Covid related illness. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports it was due to an upset stomach. But this just adds to what has already been a rough week for the second year quarterback.
Following a not bad, but still kind of pedestrian performance against Miami Sunday, Jones was not made available for interviews. It was reported he suffered a back injuring during the fourth quarter of the game. That looked to be healing quickly as Jones participated in the team’s first full practice Wednesday before missing Thursday’s practice.
The Patriots are hopeful he will be ready to practice Friday as they get ready to face the Steelers down in Pittsburgh. The Steelers came out firing on all cylinders in the season opener forcing 5 turnovers and sacking Joe Burrow seven times as they dominated the defending AFC Champion Bengals. Of course, the Steelers are dealing with their own injury issues after pass rusher T.J. Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
If Jones is not ready to go this weekend, the Patriots will either have to turn to 36-year-old Brian Hoyer or rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe. Hoyer is an excellent backup quarterback, but he’s just that, a backup quarterback. He will be fine for one start, but the Patriots are in trouble if they have to depend on him for an extended period of time. Zappe, meanwhile, has never taken a snap in an NFL regular season game and didn’t even dress for week one.
I think the Patriots are in for a world of hurt this year. New England has some holes that Bill Belichick will have to channel his inner mad scientist to fix. But, if he’s going to do that, he needs a healthy Mac Jones. Hoyer isn’t the answer and Zappe is too much of an unknown. Hopefully, we’ll see Sunday if Mac can find his footing in a very difficult place to play.
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