For the second time this month, the NFL fined New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for actions not taking a penalty during the game.
During Saturday’s 22-18 loss to Cincinnati, Jones threw himself in front of cornerback Eli Apple as they ran after Bengali linebacker Germaine Pratt, who thought he was returning a fumble for a touchdown.
NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk reported Monday night that the NFL would fine Jones $11,139 for doing so. On the NFL/NFL Players Association’s list of violations and fines, this amount is the standard fine for a first-time offender for a low block. Blocking below the waist is prohibited in possession games.
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After the game, Apple labeled Jones’ block a “dirty game.”
During his weekly appearance on Monday’s WEEI-FM’s “Merloni, Fauria and MegO Show,” Jones offered an explanation: The former Alabama All-American was trying to stop Apple from catching New England wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was closest was pursuer to Pratt.
“I went down in front of him to kind of get in his way and keep him from slowing down Tyquan who could obviously do the tackle there,” Jones said. “He kind of went down in front of him trying to stop a fast guy from getting to another fast guy so just a split second decision. There’s a lot in there. You’re out there trying to keep up and it’s a physical game so you’re trying to help the team win.
“I have every respect for Eli and the Bengals. You made a great game. There’s no hard feelings and definitely no intention of hurting anyone in this game, nor do I feel when I’m playing quarterback that that’s – you know, I get hit a lot too. We’re all out there just playing hard and that’s part of the game.”
The action that resulted in Jones’ fine never officially taking place. In the fourth quarter, Jones flipped the football forward from his left (non-throwing) hand while trying to get released by Cincinnati safety Vonn Bell on a second-down snap at the Cincinnati 30-yard line. Pratt jumped onto the loose football and flew into the end zone. Jones gave chase. He didn’t have a chance to catch Pratt, but at about the New England 25, Jones threw a left, right in front of Apple, who fell over Jones.
Officials ruled that Jones had thrown an incomplete pass and he was penalized for intentionally grounding. Cincinnati challenged the incomplete pass decision, hoping for a fumble reversal, but the officials’ decision was upheld by review.
The NFL fined Jones $10,609 for hitting Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa with the football in the Patriots’ 24-10 loss on December 1.
Epenesa released Jones with a second and 8 snaps from the Buffalo 8 to play 2:13 and the Bills led 24-7. When Jones got up, he passed the football to Epenesa. The flipped football bounced off the defending end, Epenesa didn’t react and the referees didn’t award a penalty.
According to the sportsmanship section of the fine plan, the standard penalty for taunting a first-time offender is $10,609.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.