Patriots DE Chandler Jones ruled out for Jets game

The rookie defensive end has been one of the more important players on defense this season and is tied with DE Rob Ninkovich for the team lead in sacks with six.

By Nick Underhill

Nov 21, 2012 at 4:08 pm ET • 1 min read

With DE Chandler Jones suffering from an ankle injury and TE Rob Grankowski out with a broken forearm, the Patriots will be without key players on both sides of the ball. (AP Images)

The New England Patriots took a big hit on offense when Rob Gronkowski suffered a broken forearm during Sunday’s win over the Colts. Now they've taken another hit on the other side of the ball.

Rookie DE Chandler Jones has been ruled out of Thursday’s game against the New York Jets due to an ankle injury suffered in the first half of Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie defensive end has been one of the more important players on defense this season and is tied with DE Rob Ninkovich for the team lead in sacks with six.

Backup defensive end Jermaine Cunningham stepped up in Jones’ place against the Colts, and is likely to do the same against the Jets.

In addition, G Logan Mankins (calf/ankle) will sit again this week. Donald Thomas is the likely replacement.

As for others on the Patriots' injury report:

Questionable: DL Ron Brace (elbow), S Patrick Chung (shoulder/hamstring), G Dan Connolly (back), S Steve Gregory (hip), TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle), LB Dont'a Hightower (hamstring), WR Brandon Lloyd (knee), OL Nick McDonald (shoulder), DE Trevor Scott (hamstring), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), OT Sebastian Vollmer (back/kee), WR Wes Welker (ankle), LB Tracy White (foot). Probable: WR Julian Edelman (hand), DT Kyle Love (knee), LB Jerod Mayo (elbow).