The New England Patriots played and won their first game of their 2024 season on Sunday, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.
While New England didn't push the ball down the field through the air much in Week 1, they were also without rookie wide receiver Javon Baker, who the team made inactive for the season opener.
Baker battled drops throughout training camp and the preseason and was also punished by the team for ranting about an altercation with a police officer on Instagram Live while driving.
It's unclear whether the on-field or off-field issues led to Baker's inactive status on gameday, but head coach Jerod Mayo spoke on Wednesday about what the fourth-round pick needs to do to see the field.
"He just has to continue to progress and continue to develop both on the field and off the field," Mayo told reporters. "That's my responsibility ultimately."
Baker showcased incredible playmaking ability in college (52 receptions for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns in his final year at UCF), but in the NFL, he'll need to be more consistent if he wants a role in New England's offense each week.
It also wouldn't hurt if the 22-year-old kept himself out of trouble off the field. No one would've known anything about his ticket if he didn't go on Instagram Live. That's a completely avoidable situation.
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