Mac Jones ‘believes he can play’ Week 5 vs. Lions

Mac Jones, New England Patriots quarterback, suffered a high ankle sprain injury in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens and missed his team's Week 4 loss against the Green Bay Packers. However, Jones was seen on the practice field Wednesday.

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According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones will "push to play."

"I know he believes he can play this Sunday. We'll see if he's able to. There's definitely a time last week, late in the week, when he thought he'd be able to play, too. Did not end up participating in practice, was not able to play. If he's listed as limited [Wednesday], I'd say at least that means he's got a shot of being out there on Sunday," Rapoport said.

Even though this is a good sign, Jones was still seen walking with a limp.

"I'm told, per sources, that there remains a fair bit of instability in Mac's ankle. Patriots QB at the start of practice. Still has a limp. Not getting up on his toes very much but moving considerably better than Friday, when he didn't really move at all," Mike Giardi of NFL Network said on Twitter.

Aside from Jones, backup quarterback Brian Hoyer was not present at practice on Wednesday. Hoyer suffered a head injury in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers.

If neither Jones or Hoyer can play on Sunday, rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will be the starter. Last week, Zappe, their only healthy quarterback, threw for 99 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. The game went into overtime and resulted in a loss. The Patriots now sit with a record of 1-3 this season.

Zappe will likely be backed by recently signed veteran quarterback Garrett Gilbert.