New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones is progressing towards a return against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Coach Bill Belichick noted that Jones was able to do more in practice this week and could possibly play in Week 5. Per MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Jones is expected to return for the game, barring a last-minute setback.
The Patriots obviously need the help after losing wide receiver Christian Gonzalez to a shoulder injury last week.
“Yeah, that’s when the urgency picked up even more for me – if that’s even possible,” Jones said, when speaking with MassLive. “Just to see [Gonzalez] go down and know we were thin already at corner, it was tough to see.”
Jones has missed the last three games with an ankle injury.
Now, he is coming back at a time when the New England secondary is in desperate need of help. The Patriots already added depth at the position by trading for J. C. Jackson earlier this week. There’s a chance that both Jones and Jackson could be on the field together for Sunday’s game.
In addition to the injury to Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones have been on injured reserve with ankle and shoulder injuries.
Belichick said Jonathan Jones was able to do more in practice this week and has "a chance" to play against the Saints after missing the last three games.
Would be a big boost for the Patriots' secondary.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) October 6, 2023
The Patriots have an uphill battle for the 2023 season overall. However, the return of Jones is a step in the right direction for a defense that needs to find its footing once again.
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