Team news: New England Patriots | Page 1

However the offense takes shape, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the team’s highest-paid and most established weapons, will be featured. They are the rock upon which Bill Belichick has rebuilt his offense. And offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels isn’t discouraged whatsoever by their lack of time together this summer.

Related players: Mac Jones

The story went on to say signing Henry and Smith was an organizational recommitment to reclaiming the middle of the field, where the Patriots have drawn battle lines for two decades. Belichick has preached winning between the numbers since his days coaching in Cleveland. If Henry and Smith succeed in the box and down the seam, Jones will thrive. Smith and Henry were banged up a lot during camp and missed valuable time, so it remains to be seen how quick the team can turn to this offense and have success. We have Smith ranked higher but, based on this story, it's possible Henry could turn into a sneaky pick and play this season.

Hunter Henry injured a shoulder in the Aug. 8 practice. He missed the entire preseason.

The tight end, though, expects to play Sunday in his Patriots debut.

Related players: Jonnu Smith

Henry and Smith, another free agent addition, have yet to share the field together in a game setting, the story pointed out. Of course, fantasy owners are wondering which TE emerges as the go-to guy in the offense. A wait-and-see approach may be the best bet if you have another TE option.

Patriots WR N'Keal Harry was placed on Injured Reserve today according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. He is eligible to return Week 4.

Harry has had himself a fun month-plus, going from camp standout to his familiar position in the background. The emergence of Mac Jones helps raise whatever fantasy floor Harry has when healthy.

The quarterback battle in New England has officially ended. According to Jim McBride of The Boston Globe, the Patriots have released veteran quarterback Cam Newton. This comes as all NFL teams are required to trim down their preseason rosters to the opening 53 men. With Newton gone, this now points to first-round rookie Mac Jones -- who competed with Newton this summer -- being named the starter to begin the 2021 regular season.

Related players: Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham

It wasn't that long ago the Patriots said someone would have to pass Newton in camp to earn the starting job. But it was just over the weekend where the team changed their tune, saying decisions needed to be made about the starting QB job among other positions. We considered Newton a sneaky pick, figuring he had a little more upside than most first-round QB picks usually offer. Now Jones takes over. He looked impressive at times but will likely take some lumps this season as most rookies do. But he'll at least offer lower-end QB2 fantasy value and could enter the streaming conversation if the Patriots are more pass-heavy than expected. He doesn't offer much as a runner, though. Damien Harris gets a bump due to higher touchdown expectations but he hasn't had much of a role in the passing game. That's James White's role, and Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor have produced in camp as well. Jakobi Meyers may be able to produce fantasy WR3 numbers with Jones at quarterback, while Jonnu Smith seems to be best positioned to make a run at TE1 numbers.

"No. We still have a lot of decisions to make." - Bill Belichick when asked if he had made a decision on the starting QB yet.

Related players: Cam Newton, Mac Jones

It wasn't that long ago that Belichick said someone would have to pass Newton to win the starting job. We considered Newton a sneaky pick in fantasy drafts this year and we think he offers more of an upside. While this could be coach-speak, anything is possible in New England.

Cam Newton will miss time after a mix-up involving COVID testing.

Related players: Mac Jones

Newton left the New England area for a club-approved medical appointment but there was a misunderstanding about the COVID tests conducted away from NFL facilities, according to the statement. Newton can return on Thursday, after the mandatory five-day period. Jones will get extra snaps at a key point of camp, but the Patriots recently indicated no one has passed Newton for the starting QB job so far in camp.

Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry also in full pads.

Callahan added we'll have to see what their participation levels are on Monday, but it's certainly a good sign. The hope is both should be ready to go for Week 1, but from a fantasy point of view it could take some time to see where the value is for both players.

“The fact that Cam Newton started last year, and he’s here, somebody would have to play better than him. Training camp is all about competition,” Belichick said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Related players: Mac Jones

The story wen on to say Belichick said Newton is “way more comfortable” than he was in his first year with New England and noted that the offseason has brought explosive players and better offensive balance to the team. It sounds like the Patriots are moving toward giving Newton a chance to play with those new arrivals to kick off the regular season, but nothing’s been set in stone in New England at this point, the story concluded.

N’Keal Harry injured his shoulder in the Patriots’ Thursday preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles after dropping an open deep ball from Mac Jones. Originally he was given a week-to-week timetable but now is expected to miss up to four weeks.

Competing with Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers for a role in the passing game, this timetable would potentially impact New England’s wide receiver depth chart heading into their week one matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

TE Jonnu Smith sustained a low left ankle sprain early in Sunday’s practice.

Related players: Hunter Henry

There is no firm timetable on his return, according to the tweet. But based on the initial diagnosis, it isn’t considered a serious injury the tweet went on to say. The Pats spent heavily on TE this offseason bringing in Smith and Henry, but now both are missing time leading up to the season.