Patriots Drop Hint On Josh Gordon, Ryan Izzo’s Status For Game Vs. Jets

The New England Patriots are taking on the New York Jets on Monday night, and they will play without some of their key contributors. Wide receiver Josh Gordon, tight ends Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse and defensive end Michael Bennett won’t suit up for the game against the Jets.

Gordon is dealing with knee and ankle issues, and Izzo suffered a concussion. LaCosse is dealing with a knee ailment. The Patriots suspended Bennett for a week.

New England is left with Eric Tomlinson and Ben Watson at tight end position. Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and Matthew Slater add depth to the receiver unit.

Tomlinson and Watson were signed by the Patriots this week. Watson was part of the training camp before being hit a four-game suspension. The Patriots released him, and then decided to bring him back.

It was a wild week for Tomlinson. He had to go to Texas for C-section of his wife, and then came back to practice with the Patriots.

“It’s been a quick adjustment,” Tomlinson said. “Just have to get in the playbook, stay in the playbook and get ready for this week.”

The Patriots will require him to do play fullback or tight end. Tomlinson is fine with both positions, and head coach Bill Belichick will pick out the best for him.

“In my previous teams, I’ve done both,” Tomlinson said. “I feel comfortable doing both.”

The head coach likes Tomlinson’s blocking ability, and this will probably have an impact on his future ole with the Patriots.

“He’s a bigger guy,” Belichick said Thursday. “Probably more of a . . . you know, bigger, has blocking ability. He has been in the backfield. He’s played on the line of scrimmage. So, I don’t know. We’ll see how that all plays out.”

Although the Patriots are plagued with injuries, they are 6-0 at this point of the regular season. They have a lot of talent on the roster despite the fact that some of their key players will miss the next few games. Julian Edelman is still here and so are Tom Brady and Devin McCourty.