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Mac Jones heard the criticism from the Carolina Panthers on a tackle attempt on Brian Burns that left the defensive end with an injured ankle, one that affected Burns for the remainder of the game. Hasson Reddick was the biggest critic, calling the tackle attempt a “dirty play” when the football was several yards away from both players after Jones fumbled.
Jones gave his explanation on the tackle attempt, believing Jones possessed the football.
“After I got hit pretty hard, I didn’t really know exactly what was going on. I thought he had the ball and it was my job to try and make the tackle. That was pretty much it,” Jones said on Merloni & Fauria on WEEI Monday, via CBS Boston. “And you know, obviously when you get up and you see the ball is actually down the field a little bit more … it was just a bang-bang play and I didn’t mean to hurt anybody or anything like that. I was just trying to tackle him and make the play. Because you know, I didn’t really know what was going on.”
Burns tried to twist his ankle in order to break free from Jones — resulting in time in the medical tent as a result. Reddick was none too pleased with the Patriots quarterback, believing a penalty should have been called or the NFL does something about the play.
“I definitely thought it was a dirty play,” Reddick said after the game Sunday. “I actually saw and witnessed the play while it was happening as I was running, I saw him over there. At first it looked like he was trying to trip or kick Burns and then the next thing you know I noticed I saw him tugging on Burns ankle. I thought it was completely dirty. Hopefully it’s something that the league addresses.”
The tackle attempt looked worse as more angles were released in the hours after the game. This one from NFL Films may be the most telling story.
Jones stayed with his claim he thought Burns had the football and hopes the NFL understands his explanation of the play. If any fine or punishment is announced, it will occur over the next several days.
“I just thought that’s what happened,” Jones said. “I had to make the tackle. So I did what I did in real time, and it is what it is. “Hopefully they see it how I saw it in the game and they don’t look too much more into it. Because that’s what it was.”