Guess who's coming back to the Pats this season? (Maybe)

[TheBostonStraggler]

Throwing this out there for anyone (like me) who was a little confused about the IR return process.

1) Once player has been put on IR, they can't even start practicing for at least 6 weeks.
2) Once 6 weeks has gone by, the team can choose to have a player start practicing.
3) To be able to start practicing, the team must use a "designated to return" slot on the player.
4) The team can wait as long as it wants to have the player start practicing. There's no "use or lose" deadline with respect to the start of practice.
5) However, once the player starts practicing, the team has 21 calendar days to either activate the player to the 53-man roster or decide to leave the player on IR. And as we know, if the team decides to leave the player on IR, the team does not get the "designated to return" slot back.
6) There's no minimum practicing time. A player could be reactivated immediately
6) However, a player must be on IR for at least 8 weeks. So if they were to start practicing once the 6 week clock expires, they can't be reactivated for 2 more weeks. But if they start practicing 8 or more weeks after being placed on IR they can be reactivated immediately

I think point #2 may have some applicability to the Shane M question. Shane M may have been at the point that the med staff believed the injury was 'regular life' good to go but how it holds up in playing football in pads (and eventually games) could only be determined by hit and being hit. So the Patriots used the designation to get him into practice to see(roll the dice?) and unfortunately his injury (or extremely bad luck with a new injury?) was not football ready. That's my best guess.
I can't really find any hard facts on his injury just largely fodder and speculation.

 

[maineman209]

While true -- and believe me I wish we had Jules back -- what's that saying about necessity being the mother of invention? Currently Brady-Cooks is the most productive deep (20 yards in the air or more) pass tandem in the league. That may not have been established if Jules were playing.
Obviously this is bordering on the absurd for positive spin on the loss of Jules. But this deep route production is potentially mega-huge when added with Jules (assumingly next year). Add in productive TE(s), excellent backfield receivers (White, Lewis) -- hard to imagine how potent this offense could have been this year if Jules had returned (say beginning of December) right after the deep game was established/perfected. It would have meant any game the OL gave Brady protection would almost certainly result in the Patriots viciously carving up opponents from the air. Maybe not 07 potent but incredibly potent nonetheless.

It's perhaps worth noting that, for a few weeks last season when Gronk was healthy, he and Hogan were BOTH in the Top Three in YPC. The combo of the two of them had accounted for more 20+ and 40+ than any other single "deep threat" pass-catcher (or team duo), AND at a much higher catch-rate (close to 70%).

 

[AtomicDawg]

I'm just saying.........

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm just saying.........

With Bennett now out for the season, we could really use him in the red zone.

 

[Dexter]

Malcolm Mitchell (knee) making progress, hopes to return this season

 

[RIpats88]

Malcolm Mitchell (knee) making progress, hopes to return this season

this is great news. I dont care what anyone says about "need" but having a WR whom brady can trust in the biggest situations on the field has value you cant count. if you can add mitchell and Hogan back to this offense we can be unstoppable imo

 

[AtomicDawg]

Oh y'all haven't forgotten, have you?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Oh y'all haven't forgotten, have you?

Seems like this doesn't meant too much. He also did this a few weeks ago.

I think once hes spotted on the practice field will be when there is cause for excitement.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It's perhaps worth noting that, for a few weeks last season when Gronk was healthy, he and Hogan were BOTH in the Top Three in YPC. The combo of the two of them had accounted for more 20+ and 40+ than any other single "deep threat" pass-catcher (or team duo), AND at a much higher catch-rate (close to 70%).

Of all the reiterations of Gronk (after numerous injuries), I thought he was at his absolute best in 2016. He was probably the best deep play threat in the NFL when it came to total yards including YAC. He was averaging an absurd 21.6 YPC and running a lot of seem routes up the middle. As dominating as he has been this season, his routes seem to have changed; not sure if they will go back the 2016 scheme come playoff time. Maybe some of it had to do with the scheme or having a healthy Hogan (or Edelman). Not that I'm complaining about the 2017 Gronk who is still playing at a Hall of Fame level.

 

[jimnance]

From what I've heard, there's no way Valentine will be back this season- he won't be recovered fully.
So if anyone does come back, it's MM. Reports sound encouraging. Maybe in a few weeks.
I'll kinda believe it when I see it.
But if he could get at least one regular season game under his belt,he could be a factor in the playoffs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Of all the reiterations of Gronk (after numerous injuries), I thought he was at his absolute best in 2016. He was probably the best deep play threat in the NFL when it came to total yards including YAC. He was averaging an absurd 21.6 YPC and running a lot of seem routes up the middle. As dominating as he has been this season, his routes seem to have changed; not sure if they will go back the 2016 scheme come playoff time. Maybe some of it had to do with the scheme or having a healthy Hogan (or Edelman). Not that I'm complaining about the 2017 Gronk who is still playing at a Hall of Fame level.

Clearly they made the decision for Gronk and Hogan to be the deep threats last year which helped Jules underneath.

This year they have Cooks as the deep threat and I think you are right in that because of no JE11, they have Gronk a bit closer to the LoS and the 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 yd throw splits prove it.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Seems like this doesn't meant too much. He also did this a few weeks ago.

I think once hes spotted on the practice field will be when there is cause for excitement.

It may not mean much, but the fact that he's pretty much itching to get back on the field is enough for me. I know that happens for every guy who misses a prolonged amount of time, but it is very easy to get distracted and not stay focused on returning. It's clear this kid is not one of those.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It may not mean much, but the fact that he's pretty much itching to get back on the field is enough for me. I know that happens for every guy who misses a prolonged amount of time, but it is very easy to get distracted and not stay focused on returning. It's clear this kid is not one of those.

Agree. My theory is he is VERY close but because there is no urgency thus Bill has no compelling reason to activate him. Same goes for Vinny V. He also doesn't want to be hasty in making a roster decision which could leave him in a compromised decision

If for example DA or Branch goes down and are IRd, then I think we'll see roster movement.

My .02$

 

[FCB02062]

Seriously what's up with Mitchell? They must think he's coming back, but how effective will he be? Usually when they bring guys back they ease them in...will he be back for Pittsburgh?

 

[RobertWeathers]

From what I've heard, there's no way Valentine will be back this season- he won't be recovered fully.
So if anyone does come back, it's MM. Reports sound encouraging. Maybe in a few weeks.
I'll kinda believe it when I see it.
But if he could get at least one regular season game under his belt,he could be a factor in the playoffs.

Yea Ryan Hannable said VV wasn't close either but all the reporters in this town have zip for inside info.

 

[Mack Herron]

Seriously what's up with Mitchell? They must think he's coming back, but how effective will he be? Usually when they bring guys back they ease them in...will he be back for Pittsburgh?

Nobody knows. He hasn't practiced, so don't look for him to be ready for Pittsburgh.

 

[jimnance]

Yea Ryan Hannable said VV wasn't close either but all the reporters in this town have zip for inside info.

I dunno. I heard it from Reiss and he's usually right. He said MM is way ahead of VV as far as possibly playing.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Nobody knows. He hasn't practiced, so don't look for him to be ready for Pittsburgh.

Practiced? I thought you had to be designated for return before you can return to practice?
At this point -- I could be wrong -- if they are seen regularly at the facility then that is all of the 'making progress' gauge there is.

Whether it is MM, VV or neither, it appears this is BB SOP -- complete information blackout. At this point we'll see it when we see it (Fyi, Miguel said on Twitter only about 2 weeks ago he thought it would be VV that returns).

 

[AtomicDawg]

It's a small possibility he comes back since they seem to be operating as such, but still a good sign.

 

[Ring 6]

I think point #2 may have some applicability to the Shane M question. Shane M may have been at the point that the med staff believed the injury was 'regular life' good to go but how it holds up in playing football in pads (and eventually games) could only be determined by hit and being hit. So the Patriots used the designation to get him into practice to see(roll the dice?) and unfortunately his injury (or extremely bad luck with a new injury?) was not football ready. That's my best guess.
I can't really find any hard facts on his injury just largely fodder and speculation.

SHEA Mcclellin was healthy when the designated him and then got injured again.