FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Jacas' motor: The short-handed Patriots defense is likely to turn to rookie outside linebacker Gabe Jacas as a starter in Sunday's road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS), which might have been a concern a couple of weeks ago. But the second-round pick from Illinois has been one of the team's early-season surprises, which had Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers praising his relentlessness as the conversation surrounding Jacas has shifted as quickly as he darts to the football.
Jacas, 22, has a motor-always-runs-hot play style. It has contributed to the Patriots (1-1) allowing just 16 points, helped him break the NFL's longest QB streak without an interception by recording the first pick against Rodgers since Week 10 of last season, and will be a key against Trevor Lawrence & Co. in Jacksonville with starting outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder) ailing.
"That really came from when I started wrestling -- having that relentless mindset to not be denied," said Jacas, who was a two-time state championship grappler in high school.
"And also having my brother [Khaliq] as a coach. He coached me that at an early age -- always run to the football, always having that motor. You never know what can happen if you run to the ball. Ever since then, running to the ball has been something that I do adamantly -- just like last game, stuff like that happens."