The Patriots lost not only their game against the Ravens in NFL Week 3, but they also lost their quarterback.
Mac Jones suffered an apparent leg injury on the Patriots' final offensive snap of the game. He had to limp off the field on one leg and couldn't put any weight on it as he went to the sideline.
A couple of Jones' teammates had to carry him into the locker room because of the injury.
*RARE* video of Mac Jones going into the tunnel after injury vs. Ravens. Sound On. pic.twitter.com/mfqupHxxx0
— 𖤐 GUST (@SleeepyGust) September 25, 2022
Jones was clearly in pain, so many anticipated that the injury would keep him out long-term. Some even assumed it might be season-ending.
However, while the Patriots' top quarterback will almost certainly miss time, it doesn't seem like it will be as much as many initially anticipated.
Here are the latest updates on how long Jones will be out and what exactly his injury is.
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How long is Mac Jones out?
There is not yet a definitive timetable for Jones' absence from the Patriots, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he will likely miss "multiple games" after suffering a high-ankle sprain.
Schefter noted that the Patriots are still "discussing [Jones'] options and the best way to proceed" in dealing with the injury.
Patriots’ QB Mac Jones has what doctors diagnosed as a severe high ankle sprain that would cause many to have surgery, per sources. He is likely to miss multiple games. Jones and the Patriots still are discussing his options and the best way to proceed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2022
However, if the multiple-game timeline holds up, then Jones would likely miss the team's Week 4 and 5 contests against the Packers and Lions at the very least.
The Patriots aren't giving much away. Coach Bill Belichick told reporters Jones has "made a lot of progress" early in the week and the team was still taking it "day by day" with him.
If he cannot start Sunday against the Packers, Brian Hoyer will get the call.
Bill Belichick said Mac Jones has “made a lot of progress in the last 48 hours … probably won’t practice today … we’ll take it day by day.” Confirms Brian Hoyer would step in if Jones can’t go Sunday vs. #Packers. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/E99iHVd0M5
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 28, 2022
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What is Mac Jones' injury?
Mac Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain on New England's final offensive snap of the contest. The second-year passer released a pass and then was hit by Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who dragged him to the ground.
Jones bent back awkwardly during the tackle and appeared to get his left leg stuck in the ground on the play. He was able to hop off the field but needed help from his teammates to get to the locker room.
Mac Jones came off the field unable to put weight on his left leg after the previous play. pic.twitter.com/ai4K0VoBWE
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 25, 2022
Jones was immediately taken back into the locker room for X-rays, which turned out to be negative. The Patriots didn't need to replace him in Week 3 — the Ravens were able to run out the clock after intercepting Jones on New England's final offensive play — but now, they will have to prepare for life without him, at least short-term.
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Mac Jones injury timeline
Jones' ankle injury occurred on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 during the Patriots vs. Ravens game. He fell to the ground awkwardly after being hit on a late-game interception and exited the field as a result of the injury.
The injury to Jones occurred late in the contest, so coach Bill Belichick didn't have an update on his condition in the immediate aftermath of the Patriots' loss. The 70-year-old coach was similarly mum on him during a Monday morning videoconference.
"No update on him," Belichick said on Sept. 26, per SI.com. "We’ll go through the process and see where things are this morning. Nothing definitive at this point … Until we get more information, I’m not going to speculate wildly on what it would or wouldn’t be."
Later that night, it was reported that Jones had suffered a severe high-ankle sprain and would need to miss "multiple games" because of it. The Patriots have yet to officially announce a timetable for Jones' return.
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Mac Jones injury updates
Oct. 2: Brian Hoyer suffers a head injury against the Packers. Bailey Zappe is forced to enter the game in the first quarter.
Oct. 1: The Patriots declare Jones out for their game against the Packers despite the fact that he was seen throwing at practice on Friday. Brian Hoyer will start.
Sept. 28: Belichick says the team is taking it "day by day" as far as Jones' status.
Sept. 26: Schefter reports that Jones is set to miss "multiple games" as a result of a "severe" high-ankle sprain.
Sept. 26: Belichick declines to provide a concrete update on Jones, saying that he is "not going to speculate wildly" on the status of his quarterback.
Sept. 25: The Patriots decline to provide an update on Jones but acknowledge that he is having X-rays on his injured ankle. The X-rays come back negative, and the "initial fear" is that Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain.
Sept. 25: Jones suffers an apparent leg injury against the Ravens. He limps off the field, unable to put weight on his left leg, and has to be helped into the locker room.
