Belichick Offers No Update On Chandler Jones
BOSTON (CBS) - If you want an update on Patriots rookie defensive end Chandler Jones, Bill Belichick isn't the one to ask.
Jones appeared to suffer an ankle injury late in the first half of Sunday's 41-28 playoff win over the Houston Texans after a Houston offensive lineman fell onto his left ankle. The rookie did not return for the second half, but the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe told Toucher & Rich on Tuesday it was a good sign that Jones was not in a walking boot following the win.
His status is still unknown for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick didn't give much of an answer when asked about the rookie's condition.
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"The guys who came in for treatment today, we'll take a look at them today, take a look at them tomorrow and make a decision as to whether or not we think they can practice," Belichick said on his Tuesday conference call with the media. "If we do, we'll put them out there, let them go through the early part of practice, early stages, individual work, and see how that progresses and make a decision as to whether or not to put them in the group or team drills later on in practice. It's the same thing for every player regardless."
"If they're not ready then they don't practice, or they practice on a limited basis and if they're able to continue and do the things that all the other players are doing, the mainstream program players are doing, then they do that," he concluded.
Jones registered 45 total tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles in 14 regular season games in his first season in the NFL, and had another two tackles before leaving on Sunday. He missed two games this season after suffering an injury to his right ankle in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts.
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We'll know more on Jones when the Patriots hit the practice field on Wednesday and the team releases their first of three Practice Participation reports.
Tune in to the AFC Championship game at 6:30pm on Sunday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV, or LISTEN LIVE on CBSBoston.com! Pregame coverage begins on WBZ with Patriots GameDay at 11:30am, and at 3pm on 98.5 with Patriots Preview. Following the game, tune in to three hours of coverage on the Sports Hub, and to Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38.
