The Patriots might be about to get a big special-teams boost this week for a do-or-die stretch run of the season.
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Punter and kickoff specialist Jake Bailey was spotted at Wednesday’s practice for the first time since going on injured reserve last month with a back injury. This would ostensibly open his 21-day window to be elevated to the active roster.
New England has missed him a lot – and not necessarily in his primary role as a punter.
Michael Palardy hasn’t been great as a fill-in, but he’s performed at about the same level as Bailey did before he landed on injured reserve. In fact, Palardy has a slightly higher net average on punts (38.9) than Bailey (35.2) and has a lower percentage of touchbacks than Bailey does.
If Bailey is truly back to full strength, we’ll see if his shaky performance in that avenue can improve.
But there’s little doubt the Patriots could badly use him back on kickoffs. Placekicker Nick Folk simply doesn’t have enough leg for the job, only logging one touchback in 25 kickoffs. On the other hand, 28 of Bailey’s 44 kickoffs this season (63.6 percent) have gone for touchbacks, which has taken away big-play chances for opponents like the kickoff return touchdown the Patriots surrendered to the Minnesota Vikings.
Bailey can’t exactly jumpstart the Patriots’ offense or get pressure on Joe Burrow, but he could definitely play a positive role for this team down the stretch.