FOXBORO — The Patriots have stressed the importance of getting young players on the field over the final four weeks of the season to see what they have in the future, but two high picks in the 2024 NFL Draft are unlikely to play Sunday against the Cardinals.
Offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, a third-round pick, returned to practice Monday. Head coach Jerod Mayo doesn’t expect him to be activated by Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to suit up on Sunday.
“I think he needs a little more time,” Mayo said. “Again, we’ll see what he looks like today, but realistically, being transparent with you guys, I don’t see him playing this week.”
Wide receiver Javon Baker missed practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a concussion. Mayo said Friday morning that the fourth-round pick, who has yet to register his first NFL catch, is still in the concussion protocol.
The Patriots travel to Arizona on Friday afternoon.
“Yeah, I don’t know exactly what level he is, but I do know he’s still in the protocol,” Mayo said.” And just like we’ve done in the past, as soon as the NFL and those appointed doctors say he’s good, then he’ll be on the field.”
It’s unclear when Baker suffered his concussion. He was on the field for Monday’s non-padded practice. Then the Patriots had a day off on Tuesday. By Wednesday’s practice, Baker was not on the field, and he was listed on the injury report with a concussion.
Mayo wouldn’t provide any more details.
“I don’t want to get into specifics on when he got the concussion, but he’s in the protocol,” Mayo said.
Expect Demontrey Jacobs to continue starting at right tackle for the Patriots on Sunday. It would be nice for the Patriots to see what they have in Wallace as a right tackle before the end of the season, however, since he could be the franchise’s future at that position.
The Patriots have just four healthy wide receivers with Baker in concussion protocol and K.J. Osborn waived and claimed by the Commanders in Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk. The team has Braylon Sanders and John Jiles on the practice squad but might just roll with tight ends as additional depth. Sanders wasn’t spotted at practice Friday.
“Those are definitely options, but what I would also say is one of our dependable rooms has been the tight end room,” Mayo said. “And we have tight ends who can split out, we have tight ends who can line up — inline tight ends. So definitely a possibility. So, whether it’s 11 or 12 personnel, it won’t change so much.”
Running back Antonio Gibson has been used sparingly as a pass-catcher this season, but he played wide receiver in college, as well.
Defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy also missed practice Friday with a foot injury.