The New England Patriots are not in top shape heading into their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. They already ruled out linebacker Robert Spillane for the contest, and furthermore have four other starting defenders listed as questionable on the injury report.
At least two of those four, however, are planning to make the trip to Baltimore. Cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis both told reporters in the Gillette Stadium locker room on Friday that they will take the field in Week 16.
“I’ll be out there playing,” said Jones following his return to practice.
“I want to be out there with the guys. I’m always trying to get better, so it means a lot. Our thing is always trying to be available. It’s this part in the season that everyone is going through something. We’re always trying to be out there.”
A Pro Bowl-caliber contributor this season as both a cornerback and punt returner, Jones was hobbled by a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The issue subsequently forced him to sit out practice on Wednesday and Thursday, before a return in limited capacity on Friday.
Having him available against a Ravens offense featuring the likes of productive inside receiver Zay Flowers would be good news.
The same is true for Carlton Davis, who briefly exited Sunday’s game and subsequently was a no-show at practice the last two days as well. Davis claimed that he would be “good” following his practice debut this week and that the mentality he showed versus Buffalo — returning to the field even after missing almost a full quarter of play time — remains intact.
“It applies every week, all the time. That’s just the kind of guy I want to be for my team,” he said.
The Patriots’ starting outside cornerback opposite All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, Davis was happy to be able to return to the field even as a partial participant.
“It meant a lot for me knowing that it’s a big game,” he said. “We need to win every game just so we can compete for that No. 1 seed. It’s a big game, and it’s going to be big games from here on out. It’s like playoff games until the end of the season because we understand the position we’re in and what we’re trying to do. The road is not going to be easy, so as much as we can win, it will make that road a little bit easier.”
