The New England Patriots have placed two key players on the suspended list ahead of their Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick announced that punter Jake Bailey would miss the remainder of the season after going on the injured reserve. Rookie corner Jack Jones was also previously placed on the IR and ruled out for the year.
In an update, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that both Bailey and Jones were suspended due to a violation of team rules. Rapoport’s colleague, Mike Garafolo, shared a statement from Jamal Tooson, Jones’ agent:
The Patriots need a win in Buffalo to lock down a playoff berth for the second straight year. If New England loses, the Miami Dolphins would get in with a victory over the rival New York Jets. If both the Patriots and Dolphins lose, and if Pittsburgh defeats the Cleveland Browns at home on Sunday, the Steelers would sneak into the postseason.
Head coach Bill Belichick of New England Patriots. Photo courtsey of Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
