New Patriots Rumors Inside Secrecy Surrounding Gabe Jacas' Absence, Injury and Contract

The full circumstances behind the continued absence of rookie linebacker Gabe Jacas are unclear, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Coach Mike Vrabel told reporters earlier in the week that Jacas had undergone a "procedure" without specifying the nature of the second-round pick's injury. He hadn't signed his rookie contract to that point, either.

Reiss reported this may all stem from issues that were flagged ahead of the 2026 NFL draft:

"Two sources from different NFL teams said their clubs gave Jacas a passing grade on his physical exam, although both noted a labral tear in his shoulder that could eventually require medical attention, and one noted a stress fracture in his foot that could potentially worsen over time.

"But a source familiar with Jacas' recovery said he underwent a knee procedure that was described as a 'clean-up.' It is not known whether something happened after Jacas' physical exam and subsequent recheck at the combine, or when the Patriots had him in for a predraft visit the week of April 20, and that information wasn't disclosed to the team."

Reiss cited one NFL executive who speculated the contract standoff could center around injury-related considerations New England want included into the deal.

Jacas is expected to be medically cleared in time for the regular season and could be good to go for training camp. Even assuming that's the case, he's losing valuable practice time to get up to speed in the pros.

New England traded up in order to get the former Illinois standout with the 55th overall pick. In four years with the Fighting Illini, he had 183 total tackles along with 35.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks.

Grading Gabe Jacas Pick

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Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski gave the Pats a B grade for the Jacas selection.

The team is clearly expecting him to play a role in the defense out of the gate.