Burns still bothered by Jones' ankle hold: 'I think it's some bull'
Brian Burns still has a gripe to pick with Mac Jones after hearing the New England Patriots quarterback explain how he ended up holding and twisting the defensive end's ankle.
"I think it's some bull," the Carolina Panthers star said Wednesday of the play. "His explanation for it - because he thought I had the ball - I don't think you could think a person has the ball; as soon as I sacked you, you grabbed my arm.
"And then everybody ran past us. But even if you thought I had the ball, it's not legal to trip somebody or to leg sweep somebody let alone twist ankle, whatever (you want to call it), it's not legal to do that."
Jones grabbed Burns by the ankle Sunday after the pass-rusher stripped him in the pocket. The rookie passer said he thought Burns recovered the fumble, so he tried to tackle him the only way he could. The Florida State product sustained an injury on the play, and his status for Week 10 is up in the air as a result.
Here’s the video of Mac Jones grabbing Brian Burns ankle (just follow those two and you’ll see it). pic.twitter.com/OKWgBwIN9c
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 7, 2021
The Panthers were irate about the play, which Haason Reddick called "dirty" after the game. The NFL is reportedly reviewing the incident but is more likely to fine Jones than suspend him.
Burns still hasn't heard directly from Jones or Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who defended Jones with the same explanation the rookie offered.
"It would be nice to have an apology, but it's not gonna happen," he said, via The Athletic's Joe Person.
"I would just like to play them again. And I wish all my fellow D-end brothers happy hunting."