New England Patriots QB Mac Jones is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a source told ESPN‘s Adam Schefter. The second-year QB out of Alabama is set to undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the injury.
The injury occurred late in the 4th quarter on Jones’ last pass attempt of the game. The Patriots lost the game 37-26. Prior to the injury, Jones completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 321 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. He added five rushes for 31 yards and one touchdown.
No Timetable For Return
As of this time, it is unknown how much time Jones will have to miss. On Monday morning, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he didn’t have an update on Jones’ condition. Belichick said, “Until we get more information, I’m not going to speculate wildly on what it would or wouldn’t be.”
The hope is that Monday’s MRI gives the Patriots a better understanding of the injury, and how serious it is. As of Monday morning, his status for Week 4 is listed as doubtful. If Jones does have to go on IR, that would mean he would have to miss at least four games.
New England’s next four games are at Green Bay, vs Detroit, at Cleveland, and vs Chicago. The Patriots are currently listed as 11-point underdogs next week vs the Packers, with the over/under listed at 41 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Next Man Up
If Jones does have to miss time, New England will have to turn to either Brian Hoyer or Bailey Zappe at QB.
Hoyer is a seasoned veteran who has been in the NFL since 2009, and is on his third different stint with the Patriots. In his career, Hoyer has thrown for 10,631 yards, 53 touchdowns, 35 interceptions, and has posted a passer rating of 82.7.
Zappe was drafted in the 4th round by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky. After four years at Houston Baptist, Zappe set an FBS record with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns with the Hilltoppers.
Patriots Super Bowl Odds
At the start of the season, the Patriots were +8000 to win Super Bowl LVII in February. After a 1-1 start, New England’s Super Bowl odds had shifted to +5000. As of Monday morning, they are +7000 to win the Super Bowl on DraftKings. It will be interesting to see how New England’s odds shift relative to Jones’ injury status.
Massachusetts sports betting has been approved, but the industry has yet to launch in the state. Soon, many of the top sportsbooks in the country will be available in the Bay State.
