FOXBOROUGH, Mass — When Dre’Mont Jones went down in Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots suddenly needed someone to step up.
Three younger players answered the call.
The Patriots' edge room has been the topic of a lot of conversation throughout the first few weeks of the season, with many saying that it's not deep enough. And that was truly put to the test when Jones suffered a shoulder injury and was eventually ruled out.
But Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, and Quintayvious Hutchins didn't flinch when asked to step up.
"I think we're slept on. I think we're overlooked as a room, but that's okay," rookie Gabe Jacas told Patriots Wire after Sunday's game. "We're going to continue to show what we've got each and every week.
Especially me (Elijah) Ponder and Quintayvious Hutchins. Unfortunately, what happened to Dre, we'll see when he gets back. But until then, I'm going to play until the wheels fall off. And I'm going to continue to fight for my team because they believe in me and I just want to show them what I'm capable of each and every week."
For Hutchins, whose role in the season opener as well as throughout practice has been on special teams and scout team, took on a bigger role on defense as well following Jones' injury.
"Like Coach Vrabel always says, prepare like a starter. Always be ready. You never know when your number's going to be called. Just be ready to show up and show out," he said. "We just got to keep showing up every week. Prepare to win. Prepare to execute the game plan, and keep showing up."
And then there is Ponder, who earned a spot on the team as an undrafted free agent last summer and has now worked his way up to being a starter.
"Yeah, it’s really a blessing. All I can do is thank God for putting me in this position and with all these opportunities. And I could just thank Coach Vrabes (Mike Vrabel) as well," he expressed. "And then from there, just taking advantage of my opportunities. Getting the chance to go out there, just play football with the guys and just be a part of the team. So, I’m really appreciative.”
As for Jones' status going forward, head coach Mike Vrabel didn't rule out the possibility of him playing this weekend. But it's clear that if he's unable to, Jacas, Hutchins, and Ponder are ready to fill the void.
"Again, we have to look at all those things. I don’t know how he’s going to progress during the week. I know he wasn’t able to finish the game, obviously," Vrabel said on Monday. "He’ll do everything he can to be ready, and if he’s not, then we will have alternate plans."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots' young edge trio steps up after Dre'Mont Jones injury
