After missing the Patriots’ last two games due to a concussion, JuJu Smith-Schuster found himself back on the gridiron for Sunday’s road matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
But for most of New England’s eventual 31-17 loss, New England’s top free-agent pickup was planted along the sidelines.
Once envisioned as an upgrade over Jakobi Meyers and a dynamic slot receiver capable of extended plays after the catch, Smith-Schuster didn’t play a single snap through the first three quarters of Sunday’s showdown at Hard Rock Stadium.
By the time Smith-Schuster finally earned the call from New England’s coaches and joined Mac Jones and the Patriots’ offensive personnel, it was the fourth quarter — after both DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne were ruled out due to injury.