A difficult season for Mac Jones is going to end with a spot on the inactive list.
The Patriots demoted Jones for their regular-season finale against the Jets at Gillette Stadium, with the former first-round pick serving as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback Sunday afternoon.
Bailey Zappe is expected to start for New England, while Nathan Rourke will serve as the backup QB. Rourke was claimed off waivers by New England last month after the team lost QBs Malik Cunningham and Will Grier in separate roster transactions.
Even though Jones is on the inactive list Sunday, he can play against the Jets — but only if both Zappe and Rourke exit the game due to injuries.