Patriots downgrade four more players ahead of Broncos game
The news didn’t get much better with for the Patriots Christmas Eve crew headed to Denver.
Both starting tight end Hunter Henry (knee), and swing tackle Conor McDermott (concussion) have been downgraded to out as they join safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), , and Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on the shelf.
Henry had emerged as Bailey Zappe’s go-to-guy in recent games. In the three games since Zappe took over at quarterback, Henry has caught 12 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns.
This marks the first game Henry, who was signed in 2021, has missed as a Patriot. Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown are the two remaining tight ends on the roster. The Patriots do have Matt Sokol on the practice squad. It’s possible he’ll be elevated later today.
McDermott had been filing in and alternating with Trent Brown recently, although Brown missed Sunday’s game game against the Chiefs.
He’s been dealing with ankle and hand injuries and is listed as questionable. Six others players have questionable status including DL Christian Barmore (shoulder), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), LB Anfernee Jennings (illness), CB Jonathan Jones (knee), ST Matthew Slater (hamstring) and LB Jahlani Tavai (ankle).
Sitting at 3-11, and currently in the No. 2 draft spot, the Patriots finish out the season with the Broncos in Denver, at Buffalo and the New York Jets.
The Broncos did not activate the 35-year-old safety ahead of Sunday night’s game against the New England Patriots, as they opted to use his one-game exemption following his return from a four-game suspension.
This week, Jackson returned to the field for the first time since the league decided to punish him for his hit on Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs in Week 10. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday that Jackson was in the process of getting his body back into football shape.
Denver has until Monday to activate him to the roster.
With Jackson not playing, safety P.J. Locke will remain the starter alongside Justin Simmons. Locke totaled 26 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles while Jackson was suspended.
In other roster moves, Denver elevated outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins and quarterback Ben DiNucci from the practice squad. Perkins should provide depth on the edge with second-year outside linebacker Nik Bonitto sidelined for the second week due to an MCL injury.
DiNucci has been elevated for the third time this season, but was not active the previous two times Denver brought him up from the practice squad.
Branch fined for hit on Trautman: Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch was fined $8,103 for his helmet hit on Broncos tight end Adam Trautman in the first quarter of last week’s matchup. Branch’s hit was not penalized on the field.
