The New England Patriots are facing a win-and-in scenario to clinch a playoff berth in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, but they will be down two players after shockingly suspending cornerback Jack Jones and punter Jake Bailey.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, both Jones and Bailey have been moved to the team’s reserve/suspended list after previously being on the reserve/injured list.
Patriots CB Jack Jones and P Jake Bailey have both been moved from Reserve/Injured to Reserve/Suspended by the team.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 6, 2023
This suspension is coming down from the Patriots organization and not the NFL, likely meaning that both Jones and Bailey broke some sort of team protocol.
Mike Garafalo of NFL Network tweeted out a statement from Jones’ lawyer on the matter, saying that the suspension appears to be due to a miscommunication on his rehab process.
“I’m aware of the situation involving my client Jack Jones. Jack is focused on recovering and getting back to help the Patriots as soon as possible. Regarding the suspension, it appears to be based on miscommunication regarding Jack’s rehab process. I’m hopeful we’ll reach an amicable resolution for both Jack and the Patriots,” Jones’ agent Jamal Tooson said on the matter.
Statement from @jtoosonlaw, agent for #Patriots CB Jack Jones, regarding Jones’ being placed on the reserve/suspended list today. pic.twitter.com/fQg0fyeBcl
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 6, 2023
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Bailey’s suspension is due to an entirely different issue, in part because of “differing viewpoints on if Bailey was ready to return to game action”.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke on Bailey’s future with the team on Friday and revealed that he would not be punting for the remainder of the season for New England after his time period on IR expired.
Asked about Jake Bailey earlier today, Bill Belichick said his "time period" had expired.
Bailey was designated to return from injured reserve on Dec. 21, the first of 21 days he could be activated. Today was Day 17. pic.twitter.com/dqDA7UMGSI
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) January 6, 2023
As for Jones, it is unclear at this point how long he is being suspended by the Patriots, and if he would return should they make the postseason.
Along with making the playoffs with a win, they would also clinch a postseason birth with losses from the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans in Week 18.
