The New England Patriots have obviously sustained some significant personnel losses this season, and it sounds like one of them won’t be seen again until 2024.
According to NESN’s Zack Cox, Patriots coach Troy Brown spoke with reporters on Tuesday and said during the interview that second-year defensive back Marcus Jones will remain sidelined for the rest of the 2023 season.
Jones, who was selected during last year’s draft in the third round, suffered a torn labrum in Week 2 against the Dolphins, but the hope was that he could potentially return at some point. While some wondered whether or not his shoulder would be healthy enough to play defense, the other scenario could have involved him helping the club either on offense or the return game.
Instead, it appears his season has come to an end earlier than he probably hoped, given Tuesday’s news.
Jones saw just one snap on offense back in Week 1 against the Eagles, which came in the first quarter when Ezekiel Elliott fumbled away the football on the offense’s second series.
On the play, Jones was lined up wide to the right and went in motion, with the Eagles clearly noting the Patriots speedy player’s presence on the field. As the ball was snapped, Jones took a step back and turned around for the football but was met by an Eagles defender, who jumped the play.
As a result, quarterback Mac Jones turned back the other way and instead threw to the other side to Elliott, but while the veteran caught the football, he lost it as he turned upfield, and Philadelphia recovered.
That was the last offensive snap for Jones, who didn’t get any opportunities on that side of the ball for the rest of the game, and also didn’t see any snaps on offense prior to his injury in Week 2.
Now, he obviously won’t see another until some point in 2024.
