Carlton Davis III is expected back, but New England heads to Jacksonville with questions at safety and tight end and another linebacker on injured reserve.
The Patriots received encouraging news in their secondary Friday, but their defense will still be shorthanded in Jacksonville.
Dre’Mont Jones is out, while Craig Woodson and Eli Raridon are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Carlton Davis III carries no game designation after dealing with a neck injury and missing last week’s win over Pittsburgh.
New England also placed rookie linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins on injured reserve Friday, extending his absence beyond this weekend.
Patriots’ Final Week 3 Game Designations
The official Friday injury report lists the following designations:
| Player | Injury | Friday practice | Game status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dre’Mont Jones | Shoulder | Did not participate | Out |
| Quintayvious Hutchins | Knee | Did not participate | Out; placed on injured reserve |
| Craig Woodson | Shoulder | Limited | Questionable |
| Eli Raridon | Thigh | Did not participate | Questionable |
No Patriots were listed as doubtful.
Woodson’s Return to Practice Keeps the Door Open
Woodson returned for limited work Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday. His availability remains unsettled, but returning to the field gives New England something to monitor through the weekend.
Safety depth was already reduced when the Patriots placed Dell Pettus on injured reserve Wednesday.
In his Friday injury analysis, Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar identified Jaylen Reed as an option for additional work and Mike Brown as a possible practice-squad elevation. Neither possibility should be treated as a confirmed weekend roster move.
Hutchins Goes to IR as Edge Depth Takes a Hit
Hutchins’ move to injured reserve is a separate development from his out designation. The seventh-round pick from Boston College appeared in both of New England’s first two games, recording three assisted tackles, according to the team’s transaction announcement.
With Jones also unavailable, the Patriots have fewer options for rotating their outside linebackers. Managing that workload becomes part of the challenge against Jacksonville: the available rushers need to hold up against the run as well as affect the passing game.
New England added an option earlier this week by signing Jose Ramirez from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The team’s announcement notes that Ramirez previously appeared in four games for Tampa Bay in 2024, contributing on defense and special teams.
His promotion gives the Patriots another available linebacker, although it does not establish how many defensive snaps he will receive Sunday.
Raridon Remains a Question at Tight End
Raridon missed the final two practices of the week after limited participation Wednesday. Lazar’s report identified Cameron Latu and Tanner Arkin as potential options for larger roles if the rookie cannot play.
For the offense, that uncertainty affects personnel planning. Tight-end availability influences which formations a team can use and how it distributes blocking assignments, even when the passing targets remain elsewhere.
Davis and Moses Have No Game Designation
Davis practiced fully Friday. Morgan Moses remained limited with a foot injury but also received no game designation.
Dametrious Crownover, Reggie Gilliam and DaQuan Jones likewise had no designation. Brenden Schooler was listed as limited with a back issue and remains identified on the report as an NFI-list player; the absence of a game designation does not announce an activation.
Jacksonville listed defensive tackle Albert Regis as doubtful with an elbow injury, with no players designated out or questionable.
Goodwin’s Read
Davis’ expected return helps, but it does not resolve the questions elsewhere in the defense. Woodson’s status is worth watching because another absence at safety would further limit the combinations New England can put on the field.
The weekend’s roster decisions will provide the next clues. Any elevations or downgrades could clarify the plan, while Friday’s questionable labels leave the final answer open.
The Patriots visit the Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, September 27, on CBS, according to the team’s broadcast guide.
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