Mac Jones praises the performance of the Patriots running backs in the team’s 24-6 win over the Panthers.
Mac Jones posted fairly pedestrian numbers Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. But one play the New England Patriots quarterback made is drawing the ire of the NFL community.
Late in the first quarter of the Patriots' 24-6 win, Jones grabbed the ankle of Brian Burns after the Panthers defensive end sacked Jones to force a fumble. Jones appeared to twist Burns' ankle as Burns tried to go after the loose ball, injuring the Panthers defender in the process. (Burns later returned to the game but left in the fourth quarter due to the same injury.)
Panthers linebacker Haason Reddick called Jones' play "completely dirty" after the game, and several current and former NFL players seemed to agree with him.
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In a since-deleted tweet Monday morning, Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson called out Jones for his "unprofessional" actions.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!??! THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW!? UNPROFESSIONAL," Dodson wrote in response to a video of the play.
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears tweeted that Jones' play is "as dirty as it gets."
Retired defensive lineman Leger Douzable agreed with Spears' assessment.
Jones wasn't asked about the play after the game but said Monday afternoon he thought Burns had the football when he grabbed his ankle.
It's unclear whether Jones will face any discipline from the NFL, but as former wide receiver Rob Carpenter pointed out, the 23-year-old may want to keep his head on a swivel over the next few weeks.
