Malcolm Mitchell won't be activated

FOXBOROUGH — The season could be done for both Jonathan Jones and Malcolm Mitchell.


According to those on the scene, the two weren’t spotted at the start of Patriots’ practice on Wednesday, and given their individual situations, it seems likely they’ll be shelved for the rest of the year.

In fact, Mitchell is done for the year. Bill Belichick said this afternoon that Mitchell won't be activated, and didn't expound on the reasoning.

Mitchell has spent the season on injured reserve because of a knee issue, but started practicing three weeks ago. That started the three-week window of opportunity for the team, which had to either activate him to the 53-man roster or place him on IR for the remainder of the season. While Mitchell was at practice for the bulk of the last couple of weeks, he was not at practice on Wednesday, a bad sign when it comes to his availability the rest of the way.

As for Jones, he suffered some sort of lower-body injury late in the divisional playoff win over the Titans. He was not seen in the locker room after the game, and was not spotted at Wednesday’s practice. Given how late it is in the season, he could be done the year as well.

In addition to the absences of Jones and Mitchell, right tackle LaAdrian Waddle was working on a bike, while there was a new No. 17.