Patriots HC Bill Belichick refused to commit to QB Mac Jones as his 2023 starter when asked at the league meetings this week. “Everybody will get a chance to play," Belichick said. "Everybody that’s on our roster, if they earn the opportunity to play, then based on what they do in practice and all that, then they’ll get an opportunity to play.” It's a classic Belichickian response that we're not reading much into. QB Bailey Zappe was better than expected when pressed into duty last season. But Jones is the guy New England spent a 1st-round pick on just two years ago. He'll have a much better chance this season now that the Patriots have an actual OC in Bill O'Brien running the offense. That said, Jones is an unexciting QB2 option in early best-ball drafts.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick refused to commit to QB Mac Jones as his starter the rest of the way when asked on Thursday. Jones has been bad for most of the season and bottomed out with 112 passing yards on 3.6 yards per attempt vs. the Raiders last week. It's possible that we see QB Bailey Zappe again this year -- but you should be trying to avoid this passing game in fantasy lineups.
ESPN's Field Yates reports that Patriots QB Mac Jones will start Sunday's game against the Jets. Jones took "about 90%" of the 1st-team reps in Wednesday's practice, Yates adds. Jones was yanked from Monday night's loss to the Bears after going 3-of-6 for 13 yards and an INT. But QB Bailey Zappe managed just 185 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs the rest of the way. We'd expect Jones to remain New England' starter for the remains of the season, unless he really flops. He's just a QB2 in fantasy football.
The Patriots replaced QB Mac Jones with Bailey Zappe early in the 2nd quarter of Monday night's game against the Bears. The New England offense had started slowly but drove for TDs on each of the 1st 2 Zappe-led possessions. Jones' hadn't been showing ill effects from the high-ankle sprain that cost him the previous 3 games. He even ran for 24 yards before leaving. We'll see how this situation plays out.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is active and expected to start tonight's game against the Bears, though the team website says "several reports indicate that rookie Bailey Zappe could also take snaps." If you're using Jones in a season-long lineup, then that shouldn't change anything. But have that in mind as you weigh DFS showdown options. Even if Zappe doesn't play, any concern for Jones' recovering ankle could motivate more rushing lean for the New England offense.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is "on track" to start Monday night's game vs. the Bears, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones took the "bulk" of the 1st-team reps in Saturday's practice, per Rapoport. Jones was struggling before going down with that high-ankle sprain in Week 3, and it figures to be a run-heavy attack from New England on Monday night. That leaves Jones as a weak QB2.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Bears. Jones said Friday the ankle "feels pretty good" and that he's "making a lot of progress." We'll probably have to wait until Monday to confirm that he's playing.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He's still New England's starter when healthy, but it's unclear if he'll be ready for Monday night's game vs. the Bears. We'll get another update tomorrow.
Patriots QB Bailey Zappe threw for 309 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's win over the Browns. He completed 4 passes to 5 different receivers, hitting TE Hunter Henry and Tyquan Thornton for his 2 TDs. We'll see whether QB Mac Jones can make it back for the next game.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Browns. We’ll see if he can make it back for Week 7. QB Bailey Zappe makes his 2nd career start today.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport calls Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) "highly unlikely" to play vs. the Browns today. Jones was officially limited in all 3 practices this week and is listed as questionable. But he always seemed like a long shot to play just 3 weeks after suffering what looked like a significant high-ankle sprain. QB Bailey Zappe will make his 2nd career start today.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. That's an upgrade from last week, when Jones was doubtful. We're still projecting QB Bailey Zappe to get another start this weekend, but we should get another update on the situation on Sunday morning.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) was again limited in Wednesday's practice. He was limited all last week before missing the Lions game, so this doesn't tell us much about his status for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. We'll get another update tomorrow.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Lions. 4th-round rookie QB Bailey Zappe makes his 1st career start. Expect a run-heavy game plan from New England.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Lions. He got in 3 limited practices this week, so a Week 6 return looks possible. QB Brian Hoyer (concussion) was placed on IR, so it’ll be 4th-round rookie Bailey Zappe under center for New England this weekend.
Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. QB Brian Hoyer (concussion) was placed on IR, knocking him out for at least the next 4 games. That means it'll be Bailey Zappe under center for New England this weekend if Jones can't go.
Patriots QB Mac Jones managed a limited practice Wednesday. That's a pretty big step after he missed Week 4 with what was deemed a pretty significant high-ankle sprain. Jones reportedly wanted to play Sunday against the Packers. We'll see if he can actually get back into the lineup for Week 5. We wouldn't be using him in fantasy lineups outside of superflex and 2-QB leagues. But Jones' return should be good for New England pass-catchers.
Patriots QB Brian Hoyer exited in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Packers to be checked for a concussion. Fourth-round rookie QB Bailey Zappe is next up for New England.
Update: Hoyer has been ruled out with a concussion.
The Patriots spent a 4th-round pick on Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe – notably ahead of North Carolina’s Sam Howell and Nevada’s Carson Strong. Zappe started 4 seasons for FCS-level Houston Baptist before transferring to Western Kentucky last year. He stuffed the stat sheet for the Hilltoppers, racking up 5,967 passing yards and 62 scores. Zappe is considered a refined and smart QB, but he lacks arm strength. He looks like an NFL backup, which is what he’ll be in New England behind Mac Jones.
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