New England’s most electrifying ballcarrier is being hindered by a new hip injury.
After playing in all three phases against the Cardinals, Marcus Jones didn’t practice on Wednesday afternoon due to the hip ailment. In Arizona, Jones caught an 18-yard pass, had a 6-yard punt return, and played 35 of the team’s snaps on defense (50%). He was all over the place.
Elsewhere on the injury report, Kyle Dugger was listed with a new illness in addition to his ankle injury and didn’t practice, nor did JaMycal Hasty (ankle). The Patriots signed veteran wideout Alex Erickson to the practice squad on Wednesday, who has 272 returns — 162 punts, 110 kickoffs — on his resume. With Jones and Hasty both dealing with injuries, elevating Erickson could be an option on Sunday afternoon in Buffalo.
Against the Bills in Orchard Park, the Patriots are 14-point underdogs, and will need to put some points on the board to keep pace with Josh Allen. Buffalo hasn’t been held under 30 points in over two months and Allen has become the heavy favorite to be named the league’s MVP.
“What a special player,” Drake Maye said of Allen. “He’s playing at a really high level. It’s been fun to watch some of his highlights in some of the games. They’ve got a lot of prime time games, so anytime Josh is on, I’m a big fan of his, a big fan of his game. I got to meet him a couple times throughout my time just crossing paths, and he’s an awesome dude. He’s a great player, and what he’s done for Buffalo and how they embrace him is pretty cool and pretty admirable.”
Here’s the full injury report for both the Patriots and the Bills:
PATRIOTS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Kyle Dugger, Ankle / Illness
RB JaMycal Hasty, Ankle
CB Marcus Jones, Hip
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
WR Javon Baker, Concussion
DT Christian Barmore, Not Injury Related – OtherC
B Christian Gonzalez, Shoulder
LB Anfernee Jennings, Knee
T Vederian Lowe, Shoulder
OL Cole Strange, Knee
LB Jahlani Tavai, Groin
OT Caedan Wallace, Ankle
DE Deatrich Wise Jr., Foot
FULL PARTICIPATION
No Players Listed.
BILLS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
No Players Listed.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Rasul Douglas, Knee
S Damar Hamlin, Rib
LB Matt Milano, Biceps/Groin
S Taylor Rapp, Neck
WR Curtis Samuel, Rib
LB Dorian Williams, Elbow
FULL PARTICIPATION
T Spencer Brown, Neck
DT DeWayne Carter, Wrist
WR Amari Cooper, Wrist
TE Dalton Kincaid, Knee
TE Quintin Morris, Shoulder / Groin
DE Dawuane Smoot, Wrist
