Trouble brewing in defensive backfield
DB Mills sits out Thursday’s practice
The weak spot of the Patriots defense may be ever more vulnerable than expected for Sunday’s season opener.
Veteran defensive back Jalen Mills was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice and even sat out portions of initial stretching, visibly hampered by his new ankle injury.
Mills was one of three Pats listed as limited on the team’s practice report Wednesday, along with wideout Nelson Agholor and backup offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste. Mills failed to finish Wednesday’s practice, according to ESPN.
The 27-year-old was expected to start in place of star corner Stephon Gilmore, who is out until Week 7 on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform list. Mills started at corner through all of the preseason and training camp, after being billed as a do-it-all defender when he signed in free agency. If Mills can’t play against the Dolphins, his most likely replacement is third-year corner Joejuan Williams.
Williams played just 16.8% of the Pats’ defensive snaps last season and was considered a roster bubble candidate this summer. The former second-round pick took just half his defensive snaps at outside corner, occasionally deployed as a tight end specialist on passing downs. He also played in the box.
The results were mixed, though Williams proved plenty effective at limiting Miami’s Mike Gesicki in the 2020 season opener. Former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went 1-of-3 for nine yards and an interception when targeting Gesicki with Williams in coverage that day. Looking ahead to Sunday’s kickoff, Patriots coach Bill Belichick described Gescki as “a problem” on Wednesday.
During the preseason, the Pats gave Williams greater opportunity to earn a roster spot than any other defender except released corner Michael Jackson. He did enough.
After Mills, Williams and promoted No. 1 corner J.C. Jackson, the Pats’ other options include nickelback Jonathan Jones, rookie Shaun Wade and core special teamer Justin Bethel. Acquiring Wade in a trade with Baltimore last month signaled a lack of faith in this group, which has been without Gilmore since last December. Patriots safety Adrian Phillips hyped Wade’s raw ability after practice Thursday.
“You see talent off the jump. Immediately,” Phillips said. “Like, the guy can play.”
The Pats can take confidence in Jackson’s ability to combat Miami’s lead receiver, DeVante Parker, who previously gave Gilmore problems. rookie After wideout Parker, Jaylen firstround Waddle is an explosive play waiting to happen. On Wednesday, Belichick gushed over Waddle, whom the Pats reportedly coveted during the draft process. Miami took him sixth overall.
“He has a really good skillset,” Belichick said. “He’s fast, quick, (a) punt returner. Good with the ball in his hands. Tough kid. He’s a good player.”
Hightower: Football ‘much different’ now
Dont’a Hightower doesn’t regret opting out of the 2020 season, choosing to spend time with his wife and newborn son instead of playing football. He kept tabs on the Patriots and often communicated with his fellow linebackers after games.
But having returned this year, the 31-year-old defensive captain realizes how much he missed playing and interacting with his teammates face-to-face.
“It’s much different now, being back in the building, back in all the meetings, back on the practice fields,” Hightower said. “I’m definitely enjoying it a lot more than I did last year.” And with the season opener on tap, Hightower, who is entering his 10th season with the team, naturally can’t wait to hit the field against Miami.
“I’m anxious, I’m excited. Obviously, just kind of like everybody else with having the year off and stuff. But that was that,” he said. “With all the work that we’ve put into it this year, (I’m) just kind of excited to go out. Miami is a good team. It’s going to be a tough physical game, obviously knowing (Dolphins head coach Brian Flores) and how they operate over there.”
On Wednesday, Patriots players voted Hightower as one of their five captains, along with Devin McCourty, David Andrews, James White and Matthew Slater. He was honored.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Any time you get voted by your peers … the guys you’re doing the hard work with, the sweating and the blood and stuff, so it always feels good whenever your teammates vote you in, and it’s not a coach handing it down. So it always feels good when it comes from your teammates.”
Jones’ jersey No. 2 best seller
At least in one area, Mac Jones has already surpassed Tom Brady.
According to official jersey seller Fanatics, Jones ranks second on the NFL’s list of best-selling jerseys since Aug. 1. The first-round rookie wasn’t officially given No. 10 until the Patriots’ preseason opener against Washington on Aug. 12. He wasn’t named the team’s starter until Aug. 31.
Among the top five bestsellers, Jones only trails Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.
The others below him are Brady, ranked third, Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Fan vaccination not required for opener
In a team release Thursday morning, the Patriots reminded fans attending Sunday’s home opener that vaccination against COVID19 is not required for entry.
Gillette Stadium officials are instead mandating ticketholders agree that neither they nor their guests will attend an event if they have tested positive for the virus in the past 14 days, been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or experienced symptoms of COVID-19 within 48 hours prior to the event. Unvaccinated fans are asked to wear a mask at the game.
Additionally, tickets for all Gillette Stadium events, including Sunday’s game, are now only accessible via mobile devices. Fans can download their tickets through the Gillette Stadium app. Instructions on how to access, transfer and scan mobile tickets can be found on the stadium’s website.
Cash will not be accepted at Patriots home games this year. All forms of payment must be electronic, including the swiping of debit or credit cards and scanning mobile devices.