Is Mac Jones Playing Today? (Latest Injury Update for Patriots vs. Browns in NFL Week 6)
By Peter Dewey
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones injured his ankle in the team's loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, and he's missed back-to-back games against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe has taken the reins for New England after veteran Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion early in Week 4 against Green Bay. It's possible that Zappe gets the ball again in Week 6, as Jones, who is listed as questionable, is unlikely to play, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.
#Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) was surprisingly listed as questionable for Sunday, but it's highly unlikely he plays, sources say. Almost certainly another week of Bailey Zappe.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2022
It makes sense that the Patriots don't want to rush Jones, a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, back if his ankle still isn't healthy enough for him to play on. New England is currently a 2.5-point underdog against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
Zappe filled in admirably in Weeks 4 and 5, as he helped the team force overtime against Green Bay before dominating the Lions in Week 5. In Week 5, Zappe's first start, he threw for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Patriots don't need the rookie to be much more than a game manager, especially if their defense continues to play at a high level.
The Patriots and Jones have been considered his ankle injury day-to-day for two weeks now, but the fact that he hasn't gone on short term injured reserve and was listed as questionable this week is a good sign for him playing in the near future.
Mac Jones said "day by day" or "day to day" nine times in his 10-minute Zoom call.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) September 26, 2022
With a win over the Browns in Week 6, the Patriots would get back to .500 on the season after a 1-3 start.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.