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New England Patriots: Malcolm Mitchell, Jonathan Jones done for season

By Brian Hines

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 02: Malcolm Mitchell #19 of the New England Patriots reacts from the sideline in the first half during a game with the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. He was involved with an altercation with Robert Blanton #26 of the Buffalo Bills before the start of their game. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 02: Malcolm Mitchell #19 of the New England Patriots reacts from the sideline in the first half during a game with the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. He was involved with an altercation with Robert Blanton #26 of the Buffalo Bills before the start of their game. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots have kept wide receiver Malcolm Mitchel on the IR and added cornerback Jonathan Jones to IR, ending both of their seasons.

The New England Patriots look like they will be without two more players for the remainder of the season. After a promising 2016 rookie campaign, it appears second-year wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell won’t make an appearance this season.

Mitchell was one of two players absent from Patriots‘ practice on Wednesday. The Patriots had until 4 p.m. ET to move him from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, but that did not happen, which ends Mitchell’s season before it even began.

Even if he were activated, Mitchell would be stuck near the bottom of the depth chart. The Patriots already have Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola as the top three wideouts along with an assortment of now healthy running backs.

Bill Belichick also hasn’t sounded optimistic about the second-year receiver’s return in the past few weeks. His overall attitude made it seem like Mitchell would have a lot of work to do to catch back up.

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Also missing from practice was cornerback and special team specialist Jonathan Jones. Jones left Saturday’s divisional round matchup against Tennessee with an undisclosed injury. He was also placed on season-ending IR.

Spotted at practice was wide receiver and returner Bernard Reedy, wearing number 17. Reedy will be sliding into the roster spot of Jones.

Reedy has been on and off the Patriots practice squad throughout the season. He’s appeared in two total games on the year, returning four punts for 32 yards.

Offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle, who left Saturday’s game with a knee injury, was spotted at practice. He was seen riding a stationary bike in full practice uniform.

Waddle was diagnosed with a minor knee sprain and hasn’t been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team plans on re-evaluating him later this week. Fourth-year tackle Cam Fleming would start in Waddle’s place if he cannot go.

Next: Patriots Team Grades vs Titans

The Patriots are preparing to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Kickoff is slated for 3:05 p.m. ET.

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