Patriots news & rumors: Jonnu Smith update; Jamison Crowder trade buzz

The New England Patriots have a long injury list heading into this week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.  There are quite a few key players on offense on that list including tight end Jonnu Smith.

After trending towards that breakout game Patriots fans have been waiting for, Smith went down with a shoulder injury in the team’s victory over the New York Jets.

In the first half of that game, Smith hauled in 2 receptions for 52 yards.  He was well on his way to a 100-yard performance as the team was finding ways to get him involved early.  As luck had it, the injury took him out of that game, but hopefully he won’t miss any further time.

With the Chargers defense struggling against running backs and tight ends, this will be the type of game Smith could flourish if healthy.  Along with former Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, this Week 8 matchup could set the stage for the two-headed monster tight end duo to produce on the field.

NFL rumors: Should Patriots target New York Jets receiver Jamison Crowder?

After thumping the New York Jets 54-13 in Week 7, could the AFC East rivals help the New England Patriots with an NFL Trade Deadline deal that would bring receiver Jamison Crowder to Foxborough?

Well, stranger things have happened, so you really can’t rule out Bill Belichick swinging a deal with a team he despises.

As the Jets are 1-5, they should be sellers come the trade deadline and unleashing a veteran like Crowder for a mid-to-late round pick should be in the cards, even if it’s a team like the Patriots. In drawing up 5 trade ideas that make sense for the team, Patriots.com writer Mike Dussault talks about how Crowder would fit with the Patriots.

In his Friday column, he writes:

"“Crowder is a different kind of receiver from Cooks and probably more in line with the kind that the Patriots have gotten the most production out of over the years. While Jakobi Meyers remains an emerging NFL star, giving Mac Jones another consistent slot target could be a huge boost to the offense on third downs.”"

When healthy, Crowder is a very capable receiver when it comes to production, averaging over 700 yards receiving the last couple of seasons with the Jets.  He hasn’t done much of that this season with the Jets mostly due to health and given the team’s current quarterback situation, perhaps moving the veteran is in the team’s best interest as far as developing their younger receivers.

While receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Cooks and Allen Robinson II are high on Patriots fans shopping list, a possession type receiver like Jamison Crowder makes the most sense for an offense led by Jones.  It’s an unlikely trade partner, but if the price is right, Belichick and the Patriots should absolutely take a flyer on Crowder.