FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have ruled out top slot cornerback Jonathan Jones for Sunday's home game against the New York Jets, and the team is bracing for the possibility of being without him for an extended period of time because of a shoulder injury, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Jones, in his sixth season with the team, is a valuable defender who has played 54% of the defensive snaps this season and totaled 18 tackles, three passes defended and one interception.
In preparation for the possibility of not having Jones beyond this week, the Patriots hosted three veteran free-agent slot cornerbacks on workouts over the past three days -- Brian Poole, De'Vante Bausby and D.J. Hayden.
For Sunday's game against the Jets, the team is most likely to turn to second-year player Myles Bryant, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Tuesday. They also have slot cornerback D'Angelo Ross on the practice squad as an option for more depth.
Overall, the Patriots are thin at cornerback after trading Stephon Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6. J.C. Jackson and Jalen Mills are the starters, with Bryant and third-year player Joejuan Williams next on the depth chart. Rookie Shaun Wade will miss his third straight game Sunday with a concussion.