Patriots’ Edge-Rusher Options After Gabe Jacas Injury

The Patriots could explore a trade for an edge rusher after rookie Gabe Jacas hurt his knee in the second half of their win over the Dolphins. The injury’s severity has not been established, and New England’s first injury report was due Wednesday. If Jacas misses an extended stretch, the team may need a replacement before the November 10 trade deadline.

New England has been viewed as a potential buyer, though another possibility is that personnel chief Eliot Wolf, alongside coach Mike Vrabel, favor younger players and draft picks. The Patriots also have Elijah Ponder, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones and practice-squad options Jose Ramirez and Xavier Holmes.

Five proposed trade targets are Tampa Bay’s YaYa Diaby, the Chargers’ Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, Tennessee’s Jermaine Johnson II and the Jets’ Will McDonald IV. Diaby recently suffered a grade two MCL sprain and is expected to miss several weeks. Mack, 35, has three sacks and 21 tackles this season, with a remaining cap hit of $4.4 million.

Johnson has recorded three sacks and 20 tackles for the 1-7 Titans. McDonald had 18.5 sacks across 2024 and 2025, but his role has diminished this season after New York drafted David Bailey. Tuipulotu has three sacks, 30 tackles and two forced fumbles this season, following a 13-sack campaign in 2025.

Several of the candidates are nearing the end of their contracts, making them possible short-term additions. The report said New England could be reluctant to take on longer-term financial commitments, given Christian Gonzalez’s extension and Drake Maye’s anticipated extension next offseason.