Patriots Tight End Limps to Locker Room

The injury woes continue for the New England Patriots. Tight End Jonnu Smith exited the team's Week 4 matchup with the Green Bay Packers with an apparent right ankle injury.

Patriots injury update: TE Jonnu Smith is questionable to return (ankle).

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 2, 2022

Smith was rolled up from behind on an outside run and immediately began checking on his ankle. With the injury, Hunter Henry becomes the only available tight end on the Patriots roster. Already down starting quarterback Mac Jones and backup Brian Hoyer, the Patriots offense could be operating on a threadbare playbook for the remainder of Sunday's matchup.

Jonnu Smith went to the locker room after being examined. The Patriots' only other tight end on the roster is Hunter Henry (though they use Lil'Jordan Humphrey in a hybrid TE/WR role). https://t.co/CtJhoqZlPr

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 2, 2022

Smith joined the Patriots along with Henry during the 2021 offseason as a pair of free agency splashes at tight end, each becoming among the league's highest-paid players at the position. Smith has proven a frustrating addition for the Patriots, pulling in a modest 352 yards across his 19 appearances with the team for a minuscule 6.3 yards per target. A willing blocker, his unavailability will likely hinder the Patriots' efforts to go run-heavy in the absence of their top two quarterbacks.

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