Mac Jones Ankle Video: How a Controversial Match Got Patriots QB Labeled ‘Dirty Player’

There’s been a lot of ankle breakers in the NFL, but Mac Jones could have tried to take it literally a bit.

The rookie quarterback got Boston back into gear for his aggressive play this year, but in the Patriots’ Week 8 confrontation with the Panthers, he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. when he got into a situation with the passing Panthers who pushed Brian Burns.

Leaving the best impression of his Kurt Angle, Jones seemed to grab Burns’ ankle and twist him to the pitch, following a Panthers lunge. Carolina recovered the ball but victory would go to the Patriots, 24-6.

While not technically illegal, Jones’ actions certainly drew the ire of Burns and others around the league.

Take a look at the video:

Video by Mac Jones-Brian Burns

There are several angles of the famous Week 9 now entangled between midfielders and defensive backs, each saying more than the first.

First, is the TV corner between Jones and Burns, which most people miss in real time. With Jones stealing Burns’ ball, the defense tried to scramble to pick up the loose ball, and was instead picked up by Jones (and then knocked down):

Burns then exited the game with an ankle sprain, presumably from a dislocation, but should return in Week 10 against the Cardinals.

Another closer angle of the play reveals some more details, with Jones turning to Burns’ ankle gator roll.

And another, clearer, magnified and slower shot of the handling effort shows Jones sweeping one of Burns’ legs and hitting a perfect toe hold as pictured. a la Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to land on Burns:

The incident did not result in any penalties, fines or suspensions for Jones. Instead, it led to a lot of marking Burns, who was saddened that Jones hadn’t checked in to make sure he was okay after the incident. He also gives Jones a few caveats:

“Nice to apologize, Mac,” Burns said with a laugh. “It’s not going to happen. However the NFL handles it, it’s up to them. I just want to play them again. I wish all my fellow D-end brothers a happy hunting.”

Bill Belichick would interpret Jones as disoriented after the stroke and believe Burns had the ball, leading to the (unorthodox) tackle. In return, Jones would decline to comment on Burns’ apology, instead pulling the classic “We’re in Cincinnati” attitude.