What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Friday talk (Week 3) - Patriots Wire
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The rain is coming, but the New England Patriots are planning to escape the weather and head to sunny Jacksonville this weekend for a Week 3 matchup against the Jaguars. However, they held one final practice at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots got starting safety Craig Woodson back at practice on Friday, putting his status for Sunday in a better position than it had been. Following practice, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Woodson, along with tight end Eli Raridon (thigh), would be questionable. However, starting edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and Quintayvious Hutchins (knee) were declared out, with Hutchins being placed on injured reserve later in the day.
But, in good news, the Patriots will have cornerback Carlton Davis back, who missed last week's game with a neck injury.
With Mike Onwenu on injured reserve, Vrabel said earlier in the week that the Patriots would be taking a closer look at Greg Van Roten, Ben Brown, and Walter Rouse as potential replacements. But on Friday, he revealed that a decision has been made.
Van Roten, who replaced Onwenu in the win over the Steelers, will start at right guard.
Jacksonville has a very talented dual threat on its roster in Travis Hunter, who plays both cornerback and wide receiver.
"We had him here on a visit, too. Great energy, extremely knowledgeable, as far as just talking football," Vrabel said of the 2025 second overall pick. "I thought that was really cool. But there was a great energy to him, a huge personality. I think the time that we spent together went by quick. It wasn’t me checking my watch and wondering where was he going after this. It was a pretty easy conversation, just a great person, obviously very talented and an exceptional football player.
"We just have to be ready to go, know if he’s going to be covering out to the field, and if he’s in man coverage or if he’s in cloud or whatever they may want him to do," he later added. "Or if he is on offense, we’ll certainly have to know where he’s at and how they’re trying to utilize him."
With Jones out and Hutchins on injured reserve, all eyes turn to Gabe Jacas as the rookie will have to take on a much bigger role this week.
However, when asked about it, Vrabel said that the mindset is the same as it always is.
"I mean, I think the role was really about the same. Everybody’s preparing as a starter," he explained. "I think the snap count’s however it comes out. I think he just continues to improve. He’s very coachable, he wants to do a great job, he wants to continue to improve. This is his third NFL game, and there’s going to be things that are new for him.
"But I think you could see things that we correct from one week to the next. I think that really shows up. That’s all you can ask for. Whatever you’re coaching, things that you want him to get fixed. He’s very conscientious about getting them fixed and that they translate to the next week."
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