The New England Patriots placed Jake Bailey on injured reserve Saturday and promoted fellow punter Michael Palardy from the practice squad.

Bailey has a back injury and will have to sit out at least four games. His earliest return would be in Week 16 at the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bailey, 25, is averaging a career-worst 42.1 yards per punt this season. He also handles kickoffs for the Patriots and has 28 touchbacks on 44 kicks through nine games.

Palardy, 30, was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 1. He has a career average of 45.2 yards on 321 punts with the Carolina Panthers (2016-19) and Miami Dolphins (2021).

Coming off their bye week, the Patriots (5-4) host the New York Jets (6-3) on Sunday afternoon. New England won the first meeting, 22-17, in Week 8 in East Rutherford, N.J.

--Field Level Media