Jabrill Peppers Reacts to New England Patriots' Injuries: 'Standard Doesn't Change!'
The New England Patriots' 31-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins (6-2) on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium was devastating in more ways than one.
Along with the loss squandering any potential momentum from the Patriots (2-6) upset win over the Buffalo Bills (5-3) last week, they suffered a pair of devastating injuries along the way. Chief among them were receivers Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley.
Even with New England's rash of injuries throughout this season, safety Jabrill Peppers isn't trying to hear excuses for his team.
"Everybody has injuries, man," Peppers said. "Next man up. The standard doesn't change. When you're out there, you are required to execute and play up to the standard. Across the league, there's injuries – some worse than others. You can't really live in that world. We got the guys to win; we just got to go out there and execute."
DeVante Parker's injury was just one of many suffered by the Patriots in Sunday's loss in Miami.
The loss of Bourne for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL is particularly devastating for an offense that has struggled mightily this season and ranks 31st in points per game (14.8). He leads the team in catches (37), receiving yards (406) and touchdowns (4).
"KB is a great teammate and a great friend of mine," Mac Jones said. "He does a great job coming to work and staying positive. I have a lot of love for KB... Off the field, he's one of my best friends, honestly. So I have a lot of respect for him and his family and everybody."
Bourne joins promising rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez and New England's top pass rusher Matthew Judon as key players who are out for the rest of the year.
New England will look to maintain the standard and get back on track this Sunday when they host the Washington Commanders (3-5) at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
