Mike Vrabel gave Patriots fans a much-needed positive update on Gabe Jacas on Thursday, and the rookie edge rusher appears to be moving in the right direction as training camp rolls on.
Speaking to reporters, Vrabel said Jacas is progressing well as he works his way back from a knee injury. Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal then reported that, per Vrabel, Jacas is closer to returning than Harold Landry.
That matters for a Patriots team that has already been waiting on several sidelined players. Jacas, the team’s second-round pick, has been out after undergoing a clean-up procedure on his knee.
The injury caught New England off guard, since the team did not know exactly when it happened. As a result, he missed all of the offseason workouts, which is far from ideal for a rookie trying to get his footing in the NFL.
Those reps are where a young player starts learning the speed and physicality of the league. If Jacas keeps trending the way Vrabel described, the Patriots should soon get their first real look at him in uniform.
New England had plenty of reason to want help off the edge after finishing tied for 28th in team sacks last season with 35. Jacas brings the kind of traits that can help there.
At Illinois, he showed strong hands and the kind of motor coaches love to see. He also arrived with real experience, having been a four-year starter.
His college production backs that up. In 50 games, Jacas recorded 183 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks. Last season alone, he had 11 sacks, while no other defender on the team had more than two.
That kind of production stands out, especially when the rest of the pass rush wasn’t consistently getting home.
The Patriots are hoping Jacas can add some of that juice in 2026, but first he has to get back on the field. Landry, meanwhile, remains further away as he continues rehabbing from a knee injury that bothered him last year and led to offseason surgery.
With more than five weeks still left before the season begins, there’s still time for Jacas to stack up reps and get ready for the 2026 campaign. Vrabel’s update suggests he’s on the right track.
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