It’s unknown how good this New England Patriots team will be. However, Jabrill Peppers is one of the well-established commodities on this roster. Unfortunately, his status and availability for the game have taken a hit with the latest injury update. According to Ian Rapoport, as shared on X, the safety is dealing with a hip injury. His inclusion on the report officially lists him as questionable. As is, this team is an underdog when they play the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jabrill Peppers ‘Questionable’ for New England Patriots Opener
And even though the other side may be without their top two wide receivers, most neutrals believe that this will be a comfortable win for the AFC North team. It goes without saying that any team being without too many top targets for whatever reason would hamper the potential offensive production. The exclusion of Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins would possibly even the playing field. But the possible balance would shift back if the former Michigan Wolverines secondary player is unable to play.
Furthermore, the exact extent of this setback has not been disclosed. Either way, it goes without saying that limited mobility due to a potential hip issue is a major development. Coach Mayo will likely need to reevaluate his role. Moreover, when healthy, he’s one of the best defenders on this Patriots team. This team doesn’t have too much potential in terms of an upcoming Pro Bowl appearance. A strong year from the Jabrill Peppers could offer the strongest case to receive the nod. Regardless of what his individual impact may be, not being fully healthy impacts this team. The defensive side of the ball would arguably suffer more than losing any other single player.
Since arriving he’s showcased his ability to be someone who fits in whatever scheme is being utilized. Additionally, he also adds that extra disrupting thump can even lead to turnovers. If the former first-round pick can’t play, then Jaylinn Hawkins is expected to see an increased presence for New England.
Possible Jabrill Peppers Replacement
The Panamanian-American player played his college ball in California. After leaving, he heard his name called in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons during the 2020 NFL draft. At 27 years old, Hawkins has not necessarily seen the professional success that he would have liked yet. But it’s worth noting that his original team kept him for four years. The NFL journeyman earned enough recognition to earn the opportunity to be on a roster for his sixth year in the league.
His strongest year came in 2022, when he played in all 16 games and had 85 total tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. But the void of a potential absence by the more veteran and senior member of the team is harder to quantify than by just looking at the stats. The Patriots selected him as one of six players to be a captain this year. Furthermore, his leadership is unquestioned not only in terms of what he means to the locker room but all of the little things that he does on the field.
He’s someone who is vocal, sets the tone, and leans on his veteran experience to cover for others as needed. Therefore, any possible exclusion or extended time spent on the sidelines that isn’t a part of the planned rotation will adversely affect this unit. As is usually the case when a quality player goes down, the collective effort of everyone else will need to step up. However, as mentioned, missing Jabrill Peppers means more than X’s and O’s. Finally, whoever ends up replacing him on the depth chart will face a challenge. The Zac Taylor staff will likely test any replacement early and often.
Main Image: Kevin R. Wexler – USA Today Sports
