Patriots take strong defense to Jaguars as four miss Thursday practice

The Patriots will take a defense allowing 8.0 points per game through two weeks to Jacksonville on Sunday, but their Thursday practice report left several Week 3 availability questions open. New England listed linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins, defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, tight end Eli Raridon and safety Craig Woodson as non-participants. Tackle Morgan Moses was limited. Those are practice statuses, not final game designations; Friday's report will give a better answer about who can play.

Both teams enter at 1-1. The Patriots' game release puts New England's defense at 260 yards and eight points allowed per game over the first two contests, while the offense has scored 15 points per game. Jacksonville has scored 23.5 per game and allowed 15. The samples are small, but they frame a specific test: whether New England can keep its defensive pace while giving Drake Maye enough possessions to improve the scoring output.

The Jaguars' offensive line is another focus after their 20-13 loss at Denver. Jacksonville's account says coach Liam Coen expects a response from the group after the Broncos' interior rush disrupted plays. The Patriots' game release credits New England with six sacks in two games. Jacksonville has allowed three, so this is a matchup to watch rather than evidence that either line will control Sunday.

The teams' Week 3 injury report also lists Jaguars receiver Jakobi Meyers as limited with a thumb issue and linemen Robert Hainsey and Cole Van Lanen limited. Those statuses could affect the protection and passing plan, but no player should be treated as out on Thursday participation alone. On New England's side, corner Carlton Davis III and tackle Dametrious Crownover practiced fully after appearing on the report earlier in the week.

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern at EverBank Stadium on CBS, according to both clubs' game information. New England's next useful evidence will be Friday's final designations, then Sunday's inactive list. The Patriots' own Week 3 video preview offers additional team analysis; its video is linked in its native player without copying the footage.