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A Chance for Jonathan Jones to Return on Sunday

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New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones plays against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones might be returning to game action as soon as this Sunday. After starting the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones has not played since. Due to an ankle injury he has been inactive each of the past three weeks. But according to Bill Belichick, there is a chance that is about to change for the better.



Marc Daniels of MassLive was first to report that Jonathan Jones appeared on track to play this coming weekend. Belichick appeared to confirm this at Thursday’s press conference. Jones admitted the “urgency picked up even more” for him to return after Christian Gonzalez was injured against the Cowboys.

When asked about the availability of Jonathan Jones for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Belichick said there was “a chance” Jones would be able to go on Sunday. He did say Jones has done more this week in practice than he has since suffering the injury, so clearly he is trending in the right direction.

Although “a chance” wouldn’t sound like much from most head coaches, it is more than anyone would expect from Bill Belichick. He tends to downplay or outright avoid discussions about medical situations. “That will be up to our medical staff,” would be the assumed response. Getting more than that seems to bode well for Jonathan Jones return.

In addition to Christian Gonzalez, the New England Patriots remain without cornerbacks Jack Jones and Marcus Jones. In the past 24 hours the Patriots have traded for J.C. Jackson and received encouraging news about Jonathan Jones. Suddenly the depth chart at corner goes deeper than Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade (who is also a limited participant in practice).

Jonathan Jones anticipated return is welcomed news. With repeatedly bad news in the availability department for cornerbacks becoming commonplace, the inverse is certainly good news in Foxboro. It will be even better for Belichick and company the chance Jonathan Jones plays for the New England Patriots on Sunday comes to fruition.

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