3 Patriots players on standby as injuries pile up before Jaguars showdown

It’s only Week 3, but injuries continue to mount for the New England Patriots.

Edge defender Dre’Mont Jones had gotten off to a hot start, but head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that he won’t play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after injuring his shoulder during last week’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Vrabel also announced safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) as questionable, and ruled out rookie outside linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins (knee), who on Friday became the team's 16th player to be placed on injured reserve.

The Patriots will essentially be down to two outside pass rushers — Elijah Ponder and second-round rookie Gabe Jacas — this week, which is less than ideal. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled during last week’s loss at Denver when facing pressure, completing just 4 of 13 passes (33.3%) for 61 yards in those situations.

Sunday’s showdown is a big one for New England, which has a road trip to Buffalo on deck in Week 4. Vrabel could have to rally the troops and look for a number of depth players to step up during what will be a tough Florida road game in September.

With that in mind, here are three Patriots reserves who could be called upon for key roles as the team looks to steal one from last year’s AFC South champions.

New England Patriots players who may be counted upon more in Week 3

Josh Ramirez, EDGE

The Patriots signed Ramirez on Sept. 1 after placing safety Dell Pettus on injured reserve. The 27-year-old hasn’t played an NFL snap on defense or special teams since 2024, but he did play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League last year.

That’s where we’re at with the Patriots’ outside linebacker group. Vrabel’s going to have to lean heavily on Ponder and Jacas after both had big games last week against Pittsburgh. But per Patriots reporter Evan Lazar, Ramirez projects as the next man up to Hutchins as “a speed-rushing option in passing situations and a coverage ace on special teams.”

Ramirez should get some defensive snaps in this game. The only other pass rushers on the Patriots’ roster are practice-squaders Xavier Holmes and Benton Whitley.

Cameron Latu, TE

It wouldn’t be a complete disaster if Latu saw his snap count rise against the Jaguars. But it would change the Patriots’ attack in a significant way if Raridon is unable to go.

Latu is essentially an extra offensive lineman or fullback out there. He was a major factor in the blocking game against the Steelers last week in his 14 offensive snaps.

Latu is a non-factor in the passing game, though. He’s never been targeted in his young career, including 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Latu is a gem on special teams, though, and is capable of handling an uptick in offensive snaps if called upon Sunday.

Jaylen Reed, S

The Patriots left fans scratching their heads after trading one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets from last year, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, to the Houston Texans. The player New England got back in that deal could find himself firmly in the fray.

Vrabel’s defense flew around and dominated the Steelers during last week’s 20-3 win, and Reed quietly played 28 defensive snaps. As advertised, Reed lined up all over the place, per Pro Football Focus, with 13 snaps as a deep safety, seven snaps in the slot, six snaps in the box, and two up on the defensive line.

Woodson was on the field during the media-access portion of Friday’s practice, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, which is a positive sign that he’s on the right side of questionable. But the Patriots clearly like Reed, and he could surge into a full-time defensive role if Woodson is limited or can’t go.

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