30 Jason McCourty CB

McCourty (groin) practiced Friday and said afterward that he's "open and willing" to the idea of playing some safety in 2020, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

McCourty missed four games, including the team's postseason loss to Tennessee, in 2019, but he's back in the saddle. The 33-year-old has played cornerback his entire career, but the team may want him to play alongside his brother Devin more at safety. Regardless, this likely means McCourty's average of 40.3 defensive snaps per game will either stay steady or rise.

The Patriots have picked up their contract option on McCourty (groin) for 2020, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The Patriots are paying McCourty a $500,000 roster bonus, while his $2.65 million base salary won't be guaranteed unless he's on the Week 1 roster, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports. The veteran cornerback will be 33 years old during the 2020 campaign, coming off a 2019 season in which he played at a high level prior to suffering a groin injury in November. McCourty was limited to two games and eight snaps over the final six weeks of the regular season, eventually undergoing groin surgery in January. He should be back as a starter in 2020, but it's less clear if his brother -- star free safety Devin McCourty -- will re-sign with the Patriots.

McCourty recently underwent surgery to address his groin injury, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

McCourty was inactive for five of New England's final seven games -- including the playoff loss to the Titans -- and played only nine total snaps due to the concern. The 32-year-old is under contract for 2020, but the Patriots could save $3.8 million by cutting him, leaving his status with the team somewhat up in the air.

McCourty (groin) is officially inactive for Saturday's playoff game against the Titans.

McCourty was considered questionable but will end up sitting out for the second straight game. J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones figure to see increased defensive snaps in his place.

McCourty (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff contest against the Titans.

McCourty sat out Week 17's loss to the Dolphins due to his groin injury, and he's now logged three straight limited practices. In the event that the 32-year-old were forced to miss Saturday's playoff game against Tennessee, Jonathan Jones (groin) and J.C. Jackson would likely be called upon to handle increased snaps.

McCourty (groin) was limited in Tuesday's practice.

McCourty has played just nine total snaps since Week 11, when he originally suffered the injury. He has appeared in two games over that span but aggravated the issue each time. Nevertheless, if the 32-year-old can put in a full practice before the end of the week, it would bode well for his ability to play in Saturday's Wild Card matchup against the Titans.

McCourty (groin) is officially inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins.

McCourty aggravated the groin issue in last week's win over the Bills, and could be held out as a precaution heading into the playoffs. In any event, with the 32-year-old set to miss the contest, J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones appear to be in line for an uptick in snaps.

McCourty (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.

McCourty aggravated the groin injury during Week 16 and worked as a limited practice participant this week. The 32-year-old missed three off the previous five games due to the issue, leaving his status for the regular-season finale up in the air.

McCourty (groin) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

McCourty suffered the injury during the team's Week 16 win over the Bills. That he was projected to participate in limited fashion is a positive sign for his availability in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Dolphins.

McCourty (groin) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Bills.

McCourty appeared to have aggravated the groin injury that kept him out of three of the last four games. More information regarding the severity of the injury should emerge after the game.

McCourty (groin) is active for Saturday's game against the Bills.

McCourty has missed three of the last four games, but he's back in the fold with the AFC East title on the line. The 32-year-old will work as the Patriots' No. 2 cornerback, as he's allowed just 4.8 yards per target and zero touchdowns this year.

McCourty (groin) is questionable for Saturday's crucial matchup against the Bills.

McCourty logged a trio of limited practices this week, and he appears to have a shot at retaking the field versus Buffalo on Saturday after a one-game absence. The veteran will draw his usual start at cornerback Week 16 if cleared to play.

McCourty (groin) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Bengals.

McCourty has missed two of the last three contests due to a groin injury, and he was only able to play four snaps on defense Week 14. A timetable for the veteran cornerback's return remains undisclosed.

McCourty (groin) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

McCourty missed the past two games with the groin issue and, after logging limited practices throughout the week, will finally return to action. With the veteran finally healthy to return, he's expected to assumed a starting cornerback role across from Stephon Gilmore.

McCourty (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

McCourty logged a trio of limited practices this week and he appears to have a shot at retaking the field following a two-game absence. If the veteran's groin injury forces him to miss any more time, however, J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones would stand to once again play increased roles on defense.

The Patriots have downgraded McCourty (groin) to out for Sunday's tilt against the Texans.

The absence will mark McCourty's second straight since suffering a groin injury. It is also just his second game missed since the start of the 2018 season. Look for J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones to again see increased workloads as a result.

McCourty (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

McCourty surfaced on the injury report Friday and was unable to recover in time for Sunday's matchup. He'll miss his first game since the 2017 season. Stephon Gilmore and Jonathan Jones will lead the cornerback corps while J.C. Jackson is expected to see an uptick in snaps as well.

McCourty is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys with a groin injury.

McCourty cropped up on the injury report Friday as a limited practice participant, so his status is up in the air for Sunday's contest. J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones would see increased snaps if McCourty is unable to play.

McCourty notched seven tackles (six solo), one pass defended and one interception during Sunday's 33-7 win over Washington.

McCourty played a key role in holding Colt McCoy to just 119 passing yards during Sunday's contest. The veteran cornerback is thriving as a starter in New England's secondary this season, and he'll look to keep his momentum up Thursday against the Giants.

McCourty agreed Wednesday to re-sign with the Patriots on a two-year contract, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The 31-year-old cornerback will thus continue to play in the same secondary with his twin brother, safety Devin McCourty, on the heels of solid 2018 campaign in which he recorded 70 tackles and an interception. The Patriots will likely deploy McCourty as their second or third cornerback, depending on the progression of 23-year-old J.C. Jackson.