FOXBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP/WHDH) — Patriots quarterback Mac Jones returned to practice a day after sitting out with an illness, putting him on track to start New England’s game with Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Jones hasn’t missed a regular-season start since being drafted No. 15 overall in 2021.
“That’s just who Mac Jones is, I know he’s going to work hard every day,” said running back Rhamondre Stevenson. “If he could have been out here yesterday, he would have been here.”
“You know, he’s a fighter,” said tight end Jonnu Smith. “We got a lot of those kind of guys in this locker room and I think that’s what we kinda deem as Patriots football.”
He was a full participant for Wednesday’s practice after suffering a back injury during the Patriots’ season-opening loss at Miami. His absence on Thursday marked the first time he had missed a regular-season practice.
Jones said Wednesday that his back was feeling good and he expected to play against Pittsburgh.
“He’s done a great job since he’s come in here,” said Patriots center and offensive captain David Andrews. “You know, he showed a lot of maturity – he’s our quarterback.”
If he can’t play in Sunday’s game, backup Brian Hoyer would be in line to make his first start since Week 4 of the 2020 season. Cam Newton missed that game against the Chiefs with COVID-19. Kansas City beat the Patriots’ 25-10.
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