Felger: Jones Injury Hurts, But Won’t Break The Patriots Back
Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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BOSTON (CBS) – Well, now we know why the Patriots brought in Akeem Ayers and Alan Branch.
Patriots defensive end and 2012 first round draft pick Chandler Jones is out about a month with a hip injury, as another defensive cornerstone will miss time. The Patriots are already without Jerod Mayo for the season, and now will have to learn what life without Chandler Jones is like.
The injury definitely hurts, especially considering the brutal schedule ahead. But 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Michael Felger doesn’t think it’ll be a back breaker.
He explained why Wednesday afternoon.
“[Jones] is one of the few players in that Patriots front seven that can make a play,” Felger said at the start of his take. “He’s one of the few guys who can defeat a block one-on-one and make a play. As an offense, you definitely need to account for a guy like that. The Patriots are definitely not a better team without Chandler Jones. It hurts. Chicago and Detroit at home? I’m sorry. You should be able to beat those teams with or without Chandler Jones.”
Felger has no respect for the Bears or the Lions, who he compared to every other AFC East team: talented teams that beat themselves and don’t know how to win.
The real test for the Patriots, Felger argues, is how they’ll play against the Broncos (11/2), Colts (11/16) and potentially the Packers (11/30) and Chargers (12/7).
“Having Chandler Jones out against Chicago and Detroit should not affect them. I’m sorry. Now we’re talking Denver and Indianapolis — then [his absence] hurts them. No doubt about it. I still think they can go 4-2 on this stretch.”
Because Jones was hurt on the Thursday night game against the Jets (10/16), Tony Massarotti believes the Patriots could get lucky and only have Jones out for the Bears and Broncos games.
Don’t forget now, after Denver the Patriots have a bye week. After that they’ll travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on November 16 — exactly one month after the injury, which falls directly in line with his expected return, barring no setbacks of course.
Listen below to the full discussion!
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