The New England Patriots enter their Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a lengthy injury list that touches both sides of the ball, though most of the fantasy-relevant names on the roster are not among the walking wounded. Head coach Mike Vrabel's defense has taken the biggest hit, with two linebackers ruled out entirely, while the offense deals mostly with lower-tier depth pieces rather than skill-position starters.
Defense hit hardest by absences
Linebacker Dre'Mont Jones is officially out with a shoulder injury after failing to practice all week, marking one of the most significant losses on the Patriots' injury report. Fellow linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins is also out, sidelined by a knee issue that kept him out of every practice session leading up to Sunday's game.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones missed Wednesday's practice for a personal matter unrelated to injury before returning as a full participant Thursday and Friday, putting him in line to play. Safety Craig Woodson is questionable with a shoulder injury, having been unable to practice Wednesday or Thursday before a limited session Friday.
Safety Brenden Schooler managed a limited practice all three days with a back issue and does not carry a designation that would keep him out, while cornerback Carlton Davis III was a full participant every day despite a neck injury listed on the report.
Offensive line and tight end situations bear watching
The offensive line carries several notable but seemingly manageable ailments. Tackle Morgan Moses was limited in practice throughout the week with a foot injury but has no game status attached, suggesting he is expected to suit up. Tackle Dametrious Crownover followed a similar pattern, upgrading from limited to full participation as the week progressed with a knee issue. Fullback Reggie Gilliam was limited all three days with his own knee problem but likewise avoided an official questionable tag.
Tight end Eli Raridon is the most notable offensive name on the questionable list, having been unable to practice Thursday or Friday because of a thigh injury after a limited session to open the week. Raridon has not been a significant factor in the Patriots' passing game through two weeks, so his absence would have minimal fantasy impact even in deeper tight end streaming situations. If he cannot go, expect more snaps for the healthy tight ends on the depth chart.
Fantasy football takeaways
None of the names on New England's injury report are true fantasy difference-makers, which is good news for anyone rostering skill-position Patriots. Quarterback Drake Maye, the team's clear QB1, is absent from the injury list entirely, as are the Patriots' primary running backs and wide receivers who carry meaningful fantasy value. That means fantasy managers leaning on New England's passing or rushing attack can plug those players into lineups without hesitation heading into Week 3.
The absences at linebacker could matter more for daily fantasy players streaming defense/special teams units, since losing two linebackers to injury may loosen up New England's run defense somewhat against a Jacksonville offense looking to establish its ground game. That could make the Patriots' D/ST a slightly riskier fantasy play this week compared to earlier in the season, though it is not enough to move them off most streaming boards entirely.
The bigger fantasy question for Patriots skill players remains game script and volume rather than health. With the offensive line dealing with multiple minor, non-disqualifying injuries along the interior and tackle spots, pass protection could be a subtle variable worth monitoring for Maye's fantasy floor, particularly if Jacksonville's pass rush finds early success. Still, barring any surprise inactives that emerge closer to kickoff, the injury report points to a Patriots offense that should be at close to full strength for fantasy purposes against the Jaguars.