Patriots P Bailey IR Update: Out For Season?

Bailey’s season of struggle ends as his 21-day window for return from a back injury has elapsed, per coach Bill Belichick.

FOXBORO — New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey will end the 2022 season on injured reserve. 

Pats coach Bill Belichick confirmed to reporters on Friday that the 21-day practice window set for Bailey’s return from IR has passed, without his being activated to the 53-man roster.

“No, he’s ineligible,” Belichick revealed. “His time period expired.”

The 25-year-old had been sent to injured reserve due to a back injury that left him listed as doubtful on New England’s injury report for their impending contest against the New York Jets on Nov. 19. Per NFL regulations, Bailey missed the Pats next four games.

Though he returned to practice on Dec. 21, he remained sidelined for the team’s with the Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and their Week 17 tilt with the Miami Dolphins.

As a result of his time elapse, Bailey will miss Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium — a game in which New England may clinch a playoff berth with a victory. 

Since arriving in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Bailey has, more often than not, been among the top punters in the NFL. He is also quite adept as the Pats kickoff specialist. Still, Bailey entered the season looking to improve upon his 2021 performance — a season in which he had problems with accuracy and had three punts blocked.

Just two years removed from his All-Pro turn in 2020, Bailey is once again struggling to find both power and accuracy. The Stanford product averaged 35.3 net yards per punt, which was last in the league among qualified punters at the time of his placement on IR. His five touchbacks ranked second in the league. Bailey's first-half season woes reached a crescendo during New England’s Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts, in which he booted a weak 7-yard punt in the waning moments of the game.

To make matters worse, Bailey’s troubles came just months after signing a four-year, $13.5 million contract that included $6.5 million fully guaranteed. The deal, to which the sides agreed in August, made Bailey one of the league’s highest-paid punters, and runs through the 2025 season.

With his comeback attempt falling short, Bailey’s future in New England will be the subject of some speculation heading into the offseason. However, his first order of business is to get healthy. 

During his appearance on the most-recent episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast, Dr. Kyle Trimble, AFC East Injury Analyst of BangedUpBills.com, spoke about the difficulties punters may have with back injuries. 

“Punting involves a lot of jarring motion,” Trimble said. You’re applying unequal pressure between the leg and the back … and if the pain remains, and you make that hop on one leg, you are aggravating it every time you try to work it out.” 

Trimble’s full conversation on Bailey’s injury (as well as updates on the head injuries of Marcus Jones and Jonnu Smith) may be found here: 

Bailey’s designation now means that Michael Palardy will continue with his duties on Sunday. Through seven games, Palardy has punted 39 times while averaging 42.6 yards per with a net of 37.1 yards per — both second-to-last among those qualified for statistical tracking by the NFL. The 2014 undrafted free-agent has also handled holds, having one punt blocked to go with five fair catches, nine touchbacks and a long of 58 yards.

The Patriots and Bills are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, Jan 8 from Highmark Stadium. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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