Patriots Place Marcus Jones on Injured Reserve

New England Patriots injury problems continue, as cornerback/punt returner Marcus Jones has been placed on Injured Reserve. The move opened up the roster spot used to sign quarterback Will Grier.

NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport said Jones suffered a torn labrum in the team’s loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night. The severity of the tear will determine how much time Marcus Jones needs to recover. The injury will keep him out a minimum of four weeks due to Injured Reserved rules. It is very possible to keep him out of action much longer, perhaps even ending his sophomore season in New England.

The Patriots looked to be heading into the 2023 campaign with a trio of defensive backs named Jones contributing. Jack Jones was forced to begin the season on IR due to a hamstring injury. He is not eligible to return to action until West 5 at the earliest. Jonathan Jones injured his ankle prior to the Patriots Week 2 game. He has had limited participation in practice of the past two days. His status for the Jets game this weekend is still unknown. And now Marcus Jones injury makes it three weeks in a row of bad news for this group.

Marcus Jones being unavailable helps explain the New England Patriots signings earlier in the day. Defensive backs Breon Borders and Azizi Hearn. One or both could be elevated to the Patriots game day roster on Sunday. New England’s healthy cornerbacks are Christian Gonzalez, Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade. Jalen Mills, who has been lining up at safety this year, could also be used back at cornerback, where he had played up until this season.