The New England Patriots are dealing with more than a loss overseas. Following their 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany, there’s now the feeling that starting quarterback Mac Jones could be out following a trip to the X-ray room.
Mac Jones Seen Getting X-Rays Done After Patriots Loss
Boston Globe Patriots reporter Ben Volin captured Jones walking into the room toward the end of the game.
Mac Jones, shirtless and under towel, just went into the x-Ray room pic.twitter.com/k252HD9jjg
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 12, 2023
At first, it appeared the Pats had benched Jones following a costly interception that sailed right into the hands of Julian Blackmon inside the red zone.
The #Patriots were driving with a chance to take the lead but Mac Jones throws an inexplicable interception 👀pic.twitter.com/f0xU6QQiIh
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 12, 2023
Bailey Zappe was then seen getting warmed up on the New England sidelines with under 4:30 left before he entered the game for the Patriots’ final drive.
There was this scene that unfolded as well involving Jones. But it came with a verbal assault caught on camera by his offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien following the interception.
Bill O’Brien is NOT HAPPY with Mac Jones 😳pic.twitter.com/LRQlevUqwb
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 12, 2023
But the sight of Jones walking into the X-ray room during the game led to the suspicion that he was really pulled because of an undisclosed injury.
Jones Speaks About Injury, Bill Belichick Reacts To Benching
After coming out of the X-ray room, Jones was asked what type of injury he sustained.
“I just got a little bruise. I’m good,” Jones succinctly told reporters.
Jones still struggled throughout the day. He ended his Frankfurt experience by completing 15 of 20 passes but was bottled to 170 yards and got sacked five times — three of which came from Dayo Odeyingbo. But one of his biggest scars from the loss was that sailing throw to Blackmon.
“It was a terrible throw,” Jones admitted. “I hit it in practice. But just not a good throw. I knew where to go, but I didn’t do it right.”
When Zappe took over, he went 3 of 7 for 25 yards and was picked off once as well. His pass fell into the hands of Rodney Thomas II.
Calls have grown for Jones to be benched among Patriots fans and analysts. New England has now dropped to 2-8 overall and is facing their first double-digit losing season since 2000 — when Bill Belichick was in his first season with the team and they went 5-11.
MORE: Will We See the Patriots on Prime Time Again This Season?
Speaking of Belichick, he got asked if Jones will remain the starter for Week 11.
“We’ll worry about next week, next week,” Belichick said.
But then came the follow-up: Why pull Jones and insert in Zappe that late in the contest?
“I just thought it was time for a change,” Belichick said.
Now, Patriots fans will wonder if that change behind center will carry over into the upcoming bye week.
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