It may be Brian Hoyer time for a while.
Mac Jones is likely to miss multiple games due to a “severe high ankle sprain,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reports surgery hasn’t been ruled out yet for New England’s starting quarterback.
“Patriots’ QB Mac Jones has what doctors diagnosed as a severe high ankle sprain that would cause many to have surgery, per sources. He is likely to miss multiple games,” Schefter tweeted. “Jones and the Patriots still are discussing his options and the best way to proceed.”
Jones wasn’t available to the media as he was being treated after Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, but held a virtual press conference on Monday afternoon. He didn’t want to comment on the ankle injury at all, deflecting questions and offering the same responses repeatedly — as Bill Belichick might have.
“I’m just kinda taking it day-to-day and making sure everything’s good,” Jones said. “Honestly, any injury questions are Coach Belichick’s thing. So I’m not here to answer them. I appreciate everyone reaching out and looking out for me, but it’s kinda just a day-to-day thing and I’m just trying to get better.”
If Jones does need surgery, the Patriots could put him on injured reserve, where he’d be sidelined for a minimum of four games. In the locker room after Sunday’s loss, players universally voiced support for Hoyer if he needs to step in.
“I played with Brian my rookie year. Great leader. He taught me a lot. I think he’ll be ready. So I pray that Mac is OK, but next man up and I think Brian is a natural leader,” Kendrick Bourne said. “I was a young guy and he just was motivating me a lot. Telling me I’ve got a lot of potential… he kinda saw what I couldn’t see back then. So it’s kinda cool to come full circle.”
Story by Chris Mason, masslive.com
