Mac Jones pleaded the fifth.
The Patriots quarterback met with the media on a video conference late Monday afternoon and wouldn’t divulge much of anything about the injury he suffered against the Ravens.
He was asked numerous questions about the left ankle injury, which tests confirmed was a high ankle sprain, according to a source.
An NFL Network report further classified the sprain as being “pretty severe” which would likely keep him out of this weekend’s game against the Green Bay Packers — at the very least — with veteran Brian Hoyer his likely replacement.
Jones, however, neither confirmed nor denied that possibility. He referred all medical questions to head coach Bill Belichick. Most of the second-year quarterback’s answers struck a similar tone and refrain.
“I’m just taking it day-to-day, making sure everything is good. Honestly, any injury questions are Coach Belichick’s thing,” he said, responding to the first question about his ankle. “So I’m not here to answer them. I appreciate everyone reaching out, and looking out for me, it’s kind of just a day-to-day thing. I’m just trying to get better.”
Asked if his intent was to be ready to play this week, if that was his goal, Jones provided more of the same.
“Like I said, just taking it day-by-day, see how I feel, do my treatment, kind of just go through that,” he said. “Like I always do, just focus on today. And when tomorrow comes, focus on tomorrow. Any updates, like I said, you can talk to coach.”
Did he feel he’d be able to play again this season?
“Like I said, just taking it day-by-day, getting my treatment, and doing what I do,” he said. “Just see how I feel. If you have any more of those type questions, talk to Coach Belichick. He likes to answer those questions, so you can ask him.”
Jones actually giggled after delivering that line. Belichick did speak with the media, but it was earlier in the day. He had nothing new to offer at that point, saying he didn’t want to get into any “wild speculation.”
While reports suggested Jones would be seeking a second opinion, the quarterback wouldn’t acknowledge any of that.
He also didn’t want to revisit the play that caused the injury, and had him hop off the field in obvious pain, before getting assistance to the locker room.
The play in question was the Patriots’ final offensive play in the 37-26 loss. Jones, who threw a pick on the play, couldn’t put any weight on his left leg after twisting the ankle in a collision with Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
“It is what it is,” he finally said regarding the play. “It’s football, it’s physical. I feel good about it.”
Asked if he planned on reaching out to two former Alabama quarterbacks — Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts — who suffered high ankle sprains for advice or information, and the possibility of undergoing a new innovative procedure (tightrope surgery) that might quicken his recovery, Jones wouldn’t get into that, either.
“I think everyone’s different,” he said. “Like I said, I’m just going to take it day-to-day, get my treatment and see how I feel. Everyone’s different, so I really can’t speak for other people.”
The fact he kept saying “day-to-day,” was there was any significance behind repeatedly using that term?
“A lot of times you don’t really know exactly what happens. You just have to take it, get your treatment, and hopefully you feel better the next day,” he said. “You just grow from there. So definitely want to do that and just try to get better.”
During his radio appearance on WEEI’s “Merloni, Fauria and Mego” following his video call with reporters, Jones said he felt better than he did the previous day. But he also largely deflected and deferred when it came to the injury questions.
With severe sprains, that usually means there’s ligament damage. Reports suggested Jones was hoping to avoid surgery. Given the reported severity of the injury, and projected timelines for recovery, it would seem likely that Jones will be placed on Injured Reserve. That would have him out at least four weeks.
Jones, however, wasn’t into any timelines. He just told the media he was doing whatever he could to “make sure I get my health back.”
Special teams captain Matthew Slater was on a video call before Jones, and was asked about the possibility of losing Jones for any period of time.
“I hope we don’t have to find that out, but I do believe we’ll respond the right way,” said Slater. “We’re very early in our season, and if we don’t handle it the right way, this thing could spiral away from us.”
