Patriots’ Mac Jones to face fine for low block on Bengals’ Eli Apple: report
New England Patriots Quarterback Mac Jones is reportedly facing a fine of more than $11,000 for diving in front of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple during Saturday’s game; a play he said is “just part of the game.”
Jones will be fined $11,139 for tripping Apple when Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt recovered the Patriots fumble and attempted to run it for a touchdown, sources he told ProFootballTalk.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, #10, warms up before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on December 24, 2022.
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Apple didn’t mince words about the next move the Bengals 22-18 win, calling it “dirty”.
BENGALS’ ELI APPLE CALLS PATRIOTS’ MAC JONES FOR ‘FOUL PLAY’: HE’S DONE THAT BEFORE’
“Of course I did (note it). It tripped me up,” Apple said via NESN. “I thought it was dirty play. He’s done it before, I’ve seen it.”
Jones defended the play. during his weekly radio appearance on WEEI, adding that he had “no intention” to hurt Apple.
“I went down in front of him to get in the way and prevent him from slowing down Tyquan [Thornton], who could obviously make the entrance there. So she just fell in front of him, trying to stop one fast guy from getting to another fast guy. It’s a split-second decision, and there’s a lot involved,” he said Monday.
Vonn Bell, #24 of the Cincinnati Bengals, pressures Mac Jones, #10 of the New England Patriots, as he attempts a pass during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“You’re trying to compete, it’s a physical game. So I’m just trying to help the team win. I have all the respect for Eli and the Bengals. They played a great game. So no hard feelings and definitely no intention.” hurt anybody on that play.”
The Patriots’ playoff hopes are still alive despite this weekend’s loss, but the road ahead won’t be easy.
New England Patriots number 10 Mac Jones attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Nick Grace/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
New England will need a win this week over the miami dolphinswhich has lost four in a row, before closing out the regular season with a game against the 12-3 Buffalo Bills.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
