Cornerback Jack Jones will be on the field as the Patriots open training camp at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday morning despite his ongoing legal situation.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed in his pre-training camp press conference Tuesday morning that Jones will continue to practice with the team.
“Yeah, Jack will be out there,” Belichick said. “Legal situation that I can’t comment on that’s ongoing.”
Jones was arrested last month after police allegedly found two firearms in his carry-on luggage at Logan Airport. He pleaded not guilty after being charged with two counts each of possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of an airport, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device and posted $30,0000 cash bail.
Belichick was asked a follow-up question on whether he plans to continue to stand by Jones.
“Can’t talk about it,” Belichick said. “It’s a legal process.”
Based on Jones’ practice status, it appears the answer, for now, is yes.
Belichick also wouldn’t provide his personal reaction to the situation.
“Yeah, can’t comment on it. I’d love to,” Belichick quipped.
Jones, a 2022 fourth-round pick, is entering his second NFL season. He was a rookie standout in New England with two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, six pass breakups and a defensive touchdown in 13 games with two starts at cornerback. He missed time with a knee injury and was given a team-issued suspension for the Patriots’ final two games of the season. He was arrested for commercial burglary of a Panda Express in 2018.
The Arizona State product is a potential defensive starter as the Patriots find their best combination of defensive backs. One possibility for the Patriots is to start Jones and rookie Christian Gonzalez outside with veteran Jonathan Jones in the slot. Marcus Jones, another second-year pro, has inside-outside flexibility, and Jalen Mills and Myles Bryant have also started at cornerback for the Patriots. Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Shaun Wade and rookies Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden provide additional depth at the position.