Pats downgrade two starters ahead of game

The Patriots will travel to Dallas on Saturday without two starters.

Cornerback Jonathan Jones and left guard Cole Strange were downgraded to out on Saturday afternoon, indicating they are not traveling with the rest of the Patriots to take on the Cowboys.

Jones suffered an ankle injury ahead of Week 2. He’s been a limited participant in practice for two weeks, but this will be the third game he will miss this season.

Strange suffered a knee injury in the Patriots’ Week 3 win over the Jets and was limited in practice this week.

The Patriots should continue to lean on rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade in Jones’ absence. They also have rookie Ameer Speed and veteran defensive back Jalen Mills as options to play cornerback. The Patriots could elect to sign or elevate cornerbacks Breon Borders or Azizi Hearn off of the practice squad by Saturday at 4 p.m.

It’s a difficult matchup against the Cowboys without Jones. The Cowboys feature three dangerous wide receivers in CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup.

Cornerbacks Jack Jones and Marcus Jones are on injured reserve. Jack Jones is eligible to return next week.

Rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow are the top options to fill in for Strange at left guard. Strange missed most of the summer plus Week 1 with a knee injury. Mafi played left guard while Sow, who missed two weeks with a concussion, filled in for Mike Onwenu at right guard. Onwenu has since returned.

Strange has struggled since being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Chattanooga. If Mafi or Sow plays well in his place, then it seems possible that Strange wouldn’t be guaranteed his starting spot back on the offensive line.