Patriots rule out Dre'Mont Jones for Jaguars game, leaving Ponder and Jacas on edge

New England will face Jacksonville on Sunday without outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones. The Patriots' final Week 3 injury report ruled him out with a shoulder injury. It also ruled out Quintayvious Hutchins, whose knee injury and injured-reserve placement had already been reported. The fresh game-status decision is Jones's absence, which removes another edge option for the 1 p.m. Eastern game at EverBank Stadium.

Jones did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, according to the team report. Patriots staff writer Evan Lazar says Jones hurt his shoulder while attempting to recover a fumble against Pittsburgh and did not return. Lazar credits him with a team-high six quarterback pressures in Week 1. None of that establishes a return date; the official designation applies to this Jaguars game.

The Patriots' immediate answer appears to run through second-year Elijah Ponder and rookie Gabe Jacas. The team's analysis says those two played most of the edge snaps after Jones left against the Steelers. Together, they produced a sack and seven pressures in that game, along with three run stuffs, a fumble-recovery touchdown and an interception. Those are team-reported past performances, not a guarantee of Sunday's snap distribution or production. With Hutchins on injured reserve, New England has less room to rotate the same group.

The final report lists rookie tight end Eli Raridon, who did not practice Friday because of a thigh injury, and safety Craig Woodson, who was limited by a shoulder injury, as questionable. Cornerback Carlton Davis III practiced fully and has no game-status designation. The distinction matters: questionable leaves Sunday availability unresolved, while no designation is not a promise of a particular role. The inactives list will settle who can dress.

Jacksonville's side is healthier by final designation. The Jaguars have no player ruled out, while rookie defensive tackle Albert Regis is doubtful with an elbow injury. Jacksonville's Friday report says Regis was added to the final injury report that day. Those statuses frame the front-seven depth on both sides, but neither team's coaches have committed to a new game plan in the medical report. The Patriots game page carries the Sunday kickoff and any later official update.