‘Dirty’ Mac Jones play in Patriots’ loss against Bengals under review by NFL

The NFL is wanting into an incident from Saturday’s sport the place New England quarterback Mac Jones appeared to dive on the ft of Bengals cornerback Eli Apple.

Throughout the Patriots’ 22-18 loss to the Bengals in Week 16, Cincinnati defender Germaine Pratt recovered a New England fumble and tried to run it again to the tip zone for a landing. Jones chased down the play, however as a substitute of attempting to sort out Pratt, he threw his body at the feet of Apple, who was chasing down the play himself. Clips circulated on the web after the sport, with many — together with Apple — calling the hit soiled.

Now, the league could step in. In keeping with Professional Soccer Discuss, the NFL is reviewing the play for potential discipline, and will have a ruling both Monday or Tuesday. A suspension is just not anticipated, however is inside the realm of chance, in accordance with the report.

The play in query was in the end dominated an incomplete move and the fumble was nullified, however Jones has nonetheless come below hearth.

“He tripped me,” Apple told NESN.com. “I believed it was a grimy play. He’s achieved that earlier than, I’ve seen it.”

It’s not the primary “soiled” incident Jones has been concerned in his profession. In a sport final season towards the Panthers, he was strip-sacked by edge rusher Brian Burns, and appeared to yank Burns to the bottom by his ankle. In a Week 7 sport towards the Bears, he appeared to kick security Jaquan Brisker within the groin whereas sliding.

It’s been a irritating season throughout for the Patriots, particularly on the offensive facet of the soccer. With longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels leaving the group to be the Raiders’ head coach within the offseason, Jones and Co. have struggled. The Patriots are twenty fifth within the NFL in yards per sport, whereas the second-year QB is twenty seventh amongst all quarterbacks in passer score after scoring a Professional Bowl berth in his rookie season.

Jones has, on a number of events, been seen airing his frustration to the teaching employees on the sideline, which has additionally rubbed others the unsuitable manner. Prior to now week alone, two former Patriots legends – Julian Edelman and Vince Wilfork – have ripped Jones for making “pissy faces” on the sideline, in Edelman’s phrases.