The final weekday NFL transaction wire of the regular season included a couple of unexpected moves for the Patriots. According to the wire, and confirmed by multiple reports, both rookie cornerback Jack Jones and punter Jake Bailey have been suspended by the team.
Information on the specific details of the suspensions wasn’t immediately reported. Patriots reporter Doug Kyed initially reported that they were related to an “internal discipline matter,” meaning the league isn’t involved with whatever matter got the players suspended. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald later added that the two suspensions are unrelated.
These suspensions, while backdated to Dec. 31, come as both players had already been placed on IR. Jones’ placement came last week, meaning he wouldn’t have been eligible to play again in the regular season anyway. The soonest he could be activated would be the AFC Championship Game if the Patriots were to make it that far.
Jones’ agent Jamal Tooson released a statement suggesting his client’s suspension is related to the injury. According to Tooson, Jones’ suspension “appears to be based on miscommunication regarding Jack’s rehab process.” He added that he is “hopeful we’ll reach an amicable resolution for both Jack and the Patriots.”
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, 2023No further information has come out regarding Bailey’s suspension. The punter was placed on IR prior to Week 11, and had been designated to return and started practicing again two weeks ago. On Friday morning, Bill Belichick confirmed that Bailey wouldn’t punt again this year, despite his activation window not having run out (the team had until next Wednesday to activate him).
For Bailey, this injury could have long-term implications. According to Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, this suspension could void his guaranteed salary in 2023. That three-year contract, which Bailey signed over the summer, was only guaranteed through 2023. That could make it easier for the Patriots to move on from the 25-year-old if they want to this offseason.
UPDATE: ESPN’s Mike Reiss shared later Friday evening that Bailey’s suspension is due “in part, to differing viewpoints on if Bailey was ready to return to game action.”
Because both players had already been placed on IR, this doesn’t change the Patriots’ roster makeup heading into Sunday. There is no need or room for the team to make any corresponding roster moves.
Jack Jones’ 2022 game log
Tkl PD Fum Snaps Date Week Opp Result GS Solo Ast Comb TFL Int Yds TD PD FF FR Num Pct 2022-09-11 1 @ MIA L 7-20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 18% 2022-09-18 2 @ PIT W 17-14 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 37% 2022-09-25 3 BAL L 26-37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 43% 2022-10-02 4 @ GNB L 24-27 * 3 4 7 0 1 40 1 1 1 1 72 99% 2022-10-09 5 DET W 29-0 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 40 61% 2022-10-16 6 @ CLE W 38-15 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 46 66% 2022-10-24 7 CHI L 14-33 4 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 38 54% 2022-10-30 8 @ NYJ W 22-17 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 83% 2022-11-06 9 IND W 26-3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 40 65% 2022-11-20 11 NYJ W 10-3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 34% 2022-11-24 12 @ MIN L 26-33 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 41% 2022-12-01 13 BUF L 10-24 4 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 57 76% 2022-12-12 14 @ ARI W 27-13 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 11% 2022-12-18 15 @ LVR L 24-30 DNP 2022-12-24 16 CIN L 18-22 DNP 2023-01-01 17 MIA W 23-21 IR Total 7-6-0 25 5 30 3 2 40 1 6 1 1 Jake Bailey’s 2022 game log
Date Week Tm Opp Result GS Pnt Yds Net TB In20 2022-09-11 1 NWE @ MIA L 7-20 3 118 39.3 0 3 2022-09-18 2 NWE @ PIT W 17-14 4 166 31.5 2 1 2022-09-25 3 NWE BAL L 26-37 2 100 22.5 0 0 2022-10-02 4 NWE @ GNB L 24-27 7 314 37.6 2 2 2022-10-09 5 NWE DET W 29-0 2 101 42.5 0 0 2022-10-16 6 NWE @ CLE W 38-15 4 164 39.3 0 3 2022-10-24 7 NWE CHI L 14-33 4 160 31.0 0 0 2022-10-30 8 NWE @ NYJ W 22-17 4 163 35.8 1 2 2022-11-06 9 NWE IND W 26-3 7 271 34.4 0 1 2022-11-20 11 NWE NYJ W 10-3 DNP 2022-11-24 12 NWE @ MIN L 26-33 DNP 2022-12-01 13 NWE BUF L 10-24 DNP 2022-12-12 14 NWE @ ARI W 27-13 DNP 2022-12-18 15 NWE @ LVR L 24-30 DNP 2022-12-24 16 NWE CIN L 18-22 DNP 2023-01-01 17 NWE MIA W 23-21 DNP 9 Games 5-4-0 37 1557 35.2 5 12 Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
