Carolina Panthers accuse Mac Jones of dirty play that injured Brian Burns

Former Alabama and current New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was called out by Carolina Panthers linebacker Haason Reddick for a play Jones made in Sunday’s game. The Panthers’ defender certainly wasn’t happy with Jones, calling the play “completely dirty.”

As can be seen in a video of the play, Jones was sacked by Carolina defensive end Brian Burns in the first quarter of the game and lost the ball. While the Panthers were recovering the fumble, Jones grabbed and held onto Burns’ right ankle as he was trying to run downfield – and that play ended up sidelining Burns for part of the game.

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

“Definitely thought it was a dirty play,” Reddick said. “I actually saw and witnessed the play while it was happening. At first it felt like he was trying trip or kick Burns. And the next thing you know I saw him tugging on Burns’ ankle. I thought it was completely dirty. Hopefully, it’s something the league addresses.”

Jones – who went 12-for-19 passing for 139 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the Patriots’ 24-6 win – wasn’t called for a penalty on the play, as referee Clete Blakeman said it was a “subjective call.” As for Burns, he returned to the game but was banged up again in the fourth quarter with an injury to the same ankle.

“That was a call that shouldn’t be missed,” Reddick said. “I’m going to speak out on it – whatever the consequences are. It looked completely intentional from where I was standing, and I was pretty close. I don’t think that was a call that should have been missed.”

Alongside Reddick, Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule also believed a flag should’ve certainly been thrown on the play.

“I don’t want to call out any of their players or anything like that,” Rhule said. “I’m always gonna protect our guys, and it looked like it was an injury that happened after the play.”

Reddick said he talked to his Burns – who registered four tackles in Sunday’s game – afterwards and said his teammate “will be fine.” On top of that, he added one more comment about the play – something Jones wasn’t even asked about in his postgame press conference.

“I understand everybody is out there competing,” Reddick said. “I understand everybody wants to win. I don’t think there is no room for that inside of the game. Everybody needs to be respectful, right? Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt. For no penalty, nothing to be thrown … it’s egregious. I think it’s unfair. I really do hope the league addresses it.”