Mitchell won’t make a return
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell won’t provide a depth charge this season after all.
The Patriots didn’t activate Mitchell from injured reserve by yesterday’s deadline, so his season has officially ended. The wide receiver was designated to return three weeks earlier, but it didn’t ever really appear that it was something the team counted on to happen.
Mitchell has dealt with knee injuries since college when he had three surgeries in a matter of a year, and the issues resurfaced over the offseason. He missed the entire nine-week offseason workout program, was injured during the first practice of training camp, returned a few weeks later during joint practices with the Texans but then got hurt again during his preseason debut in Houston. The Patriots placed him on injured reserve several hours before the regular-season opener against the Chiefs.
Midway through the season, a source told the Herald the Patriots were operating under the assumption Mitchell wouldn’t play in his second campaign. So why did they designate him to return? It could have been a simple matter of wanting to get him onto the practice field a handful of times before officially shutting him down. And if there had been a miraculous recovery or another significant loss on the depth chart, they could reassess the situation.
Yet, Mitchell never looked close. He missed two practices last week and also didn’t practice yesterday before the expiration of the deadline. Even if Mitchell had returned, Bill Belichick mentioned his lack of playing time throughout the year would be a hindrance to his ability to produce in a game situation.
The 2016 fourth-round pick had one of the most productive rookie seasons for a wide receiver during the Tom Brady era, tallying 32 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. He also had six catches for 70 yards in Super Bowl LI, with all but a 7-yard grab occurring in the second half.
All teams can designate two players to return from injured reserve during the season, and neither of the Patriots’ designees made it back. Linebacker Shea McClellin suffered another concussion in November during his attempted return and was shut down for the season.
New catchphrase
Tight end Rob Gronkowski might have coined a new phrase yesterday when discussing the Patriots’ homefield advantage.
“I remember last year I was watching in the stands, and they were going bazooka,” Gronkowski said. “They were super loud, super proud.”
Going bazooka. Only Gronk.
No trash
With trash talk once again a topic of conversation this week, special teams captain Matthew Slater was asked why the Patriots disengage from those opportunities to give their opponent any free bulletin-board material.
“I will answer that with a question,” Slater said. “Why do we need to go there?”
Special loss
The Patriots placed cornerback Jonathan Jones on injured reserve yesterday, just four days after he was injured during the fourth quarter against the Titans. Jones was fifth on the Patriots with seven special teams tackles during the regular season and at times was the starting nickel corner.
The loss stings, but the Pats are well-stocked to handle his absence. Johnson Bademosi, who led the Patriots with nine special teams tackles in the regular season, was a healthy scratch for the first time last week. He’ll replace Jones’ special teams role and again become the fourth cornerback on the depth chart.
Wide receiver Bernard Reedy was signed in Jones’ place . . . .
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will attend the NFC Championship Game between the Eagles and Vikings on Sunday in Philadelphia, so the Gillette Stadium crowd won’t have a chance to express their feelings again.