Mac Jones won’t even be fined for ‘dirty play’ on Brian Burns

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was not handed a fine by the NFL for a “dirty play” on Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns.

The New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers last week to propel them into the playoff picture. But that was not the story of the game. Rather, it was quarterback Mac Jones grabbing and twisting the ankle of Panthers defensive end Brian Burns following a strip-sack. With Burns and others around the league calling it a “dirty play,” the NFL did not believe that at all.

On Saturday, it was revealed by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that Jones was not fined for the ankle grab. Per Schefter, the ankle twist “did not rise to the level of a fine in the NFL’s opinion.”

Mac Jones not fined for grabbing ankle of Brian Burns

As Schefter notes in his tweet, Jones could have been given a holding penalty for the play in question. However, the on-field officials did not do so.

Jones did say in an interview with WEEI on Monday that he believed Burns recovered the fumble and he was trying to make the tackle. Burns did not have the ball, as linebacker Frankie Luvu was the one who recovered it.

Burns spoke about the incident, saying that he had not heard from or received an apology from the rookie quarterback. The defensive end said he would like to get another shot at Jones this season (which would only happen if they meet in the Super Bowl), but he sent a message to his fellow defensive linemen — “happy hunting.”

The first defensive lineman to face off against Jones since the ankle-grabbing incident is Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. Garrett said he saw the play but did not offer any opinion on it. However, he did say that he does not know if Jones will “turn into the ankle-grabber.”