Saturday’s kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
The New England Patriots will close out the 2024 season without Marcus Jones.
The organization moved the starting cornerback and punt returner to injured reserve amid a series of moves on Friday after he had been ruled out on the final injury report.
In addition, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace has been activated to the 53-man roster on the eve of the Los Angeles Chargers matchup, while wide receiver Alex Erickson and linebacker Monty Rice will again serve as standard elevations from the practice squad.
Jones, 26, had been sidelined for back-to-back weeks due to a hip injury. The No. 85 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft appeared in 14 games this year in Foxborough. Making nine starts on defense as well as cameos on offense, he registered 58 tackles along with two forced fumbles, one interception, one reception as well as an average of 14.8 yards per punt return. The former first-team All-Pro by way of Troy and Houston previously had his 2023 end on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury.
Wallace, 24, saw his 21-day activation window open earlier in December after going on injured reserve with an ankle injury as the calendar turned to October. He carried a questionable game status and had practiced in a limited capacity since returning. Selected No. 68 overall in the 2024 draft class, the Penn State product stands four appearances into his rookie season, making one start on the blindside. His campaign includes 40 snaps at left tackle, 30 snaps as an eligible tight end and 10 snaps on special teams.
Erickson, 32, made his 2024 debut on special teams versus the Buffalo Bills. He stood back deep for kickoffs and fielded three punts, including two fair catches. A veteran of 108 NFL games, Erickson signed midway through the month. The Wisconsin product entered the league with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and has also made stops with the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets and Chargers. A 17-game starter, his career has brought 112 catches for 1,373 yards and two touchdowns out wide, plus averages of 8.0 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards per kickoff return.
Rice, 25, handled 13 snaps in the kicking game last weekend after arriving in Foxborough in November. Taken No. 92 overall in the 2021 draft, the linebacker logged his initial three years with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in 35 games and starting 10. Rice totaled 631 snaps on defense and 412 snaps on special teams over that span while finishing with 128 tackles and two pass deflections. After being claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints last December, the former Georgia linebacker began 2024 on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons and was released in October.
Patriots center Ben Brown, who spent preparations in the league’s concussion protocol, has been downgraded from questionable to out for the matchup. The announcement snaps a streak of 10 consecutive starts and 667 consecutive offensive snaps.
As for the AFC West visitors, the Chargers activated running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve and also elevated safeties Eddie Jackson and Kendall Williamson from the practice squad.
Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET as part of Saturday’s NFL tripleheader.