New England Patriots rookie third-round pick Caedan Wallace suffered an ankle injury during a failed fourth-down conversion attempt in the second quarter of Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. Wallace limped off the field with the assistance of fellow teammates, and the medical staff later carted him to the locker room. As a result, the Patriots placed their offensive tackle on injured reserve ahead of Week 5, hoping he would return until later in the season.
Also Read: New England Patriots: Suddenly Placed Rookie on Injured Reserve Ahead of Week 5
The New England Patriots rookie is inching closer to a return
The Patriots designated Caedan Wallace for return from injured reserve on Monday, effectively opening his 21-day practice window. Wallace has since practiced this week, and he’s inching closer to returning to the football field. During Wednesday’s press conference, head coach Jerod Mayo told the media that the rookie could return as soon as this weekend.
“It could be as soon as this weekend,” said Jerod Mayo on Wednesday of Wallace’s pending return, calling the one padded practice, “A big day for a lot of guys who haven’t played a lot this year, Caedan being one of them, to go out there in pads and see what it looks like.”
He might not be ready this week
The Patriots will hold their final practice session on Friday before flying to Arizona later today to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Once they finish practice, the team will release the week’s final injury report. During Friday’s press conference before practice, Jerod Mayo told the media that Caedan Wallace likely needs more time and might not be activated and play this weekend. He went on to say that today’s practice would give us a better idea.
“I think he needs a little bit more time,” Mayo said when asked about Wallace. “Again, we’ll see what he looks like today, but realistically, I don’t see him playing this week.”
When must they activate him before his practice window expires?
Since the Patriots designated Caedan Wallace for return on Monday, December 9, and considering he has 21 days to return from injured reserve, the team must activate him by Monday, December 30. If they choose not to activate him by the 30th, he reverts to season-ending injured reserve.
