Belichick: QB Mac Jones has made 'a lot of progress' with injured ankle; Patriots taking it 'day-by-day'
FOXBORO — Bill Belichick said on Wednesday that Mac Jones has made “a lot of progress in the last 48 hours” with his ankle injury. The Patriots coach wouldn’t rule out the possibility of his starting quarterback playing Sunday in Green Bay, but didn’t give much else to the local media in his afternoon press conference.
Other than confirming that backup quarterback Brian Hoyer would start against the Packers in the event that Jones isn't able to play, Belichick wasn’t in a revealing mood.
“Saw Mac a little while ago. Definitely getting better,” Belichick said. “Probably won’t practice today but made a lot of progress in the last 48 hours. So, keep plugging away and take that day-by-day, see how it goes. That’s where we are for today.”
Jones wasn’t at Patriots practice on Wednesday. He’s reportedly dealing with a high ankle sprain, which he suffered during Sunday’s loss to Baltimore. It’s undetermined as to whether he’ll have surgery to attempt to speed up the recovery.
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Belichick’s first statement was the most revealing part of his press conference. The coach did a fine job of swatting away questions as the interview session went on.
Here’s a Q&A of what transpired next:
Will Mac Jones start on Sunday?
Belichick: “Take it day-by-day.”
How much will the game plan be impacted due to the uncertain quarterback situation?
Belichick: “Not too much. Brian has a lot of experience. He’s done everything that we would want to do. Mac would be able to do it with minimal practice if that’s what it was. Just take it day-by-day. We’re not really doing anything differently.”
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Will Mac Jones have a procedure to help with the recovery?
Belichick: “Day-by-day, Phil [Perry]. Day-by-day. That’s the plan — day-by-day.”
Are you, the Patriots, on the same page with Mac Jones and his team on how to move forward?
Belichick: “I’m not really sure what the nature of the question is. Day-by-day he’s getting better. See how it goes. Day-by-day.”
Does Mac Jones have a high ankle sprain?
Belichick: “Day-by-day. What do I look like, a doctor? An orthopedic surgeon? I don’t know — talk to the medical experts.”
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What do the medical experts say to you?
Belichick: “Day-by-day. What difference does it make to me? Do you think I’m going to read the MRI? That’s not my job.
It’s theirs and they talk to you, right?
Belichick: “Yeah, but it’s day-by-day. Just getting better day-by-day. We’ll see what it is tomorrow. It’s a lot better than it was yesterday.”
Will Brian Hoyer start on Sunday if Mac can’t?
Belichick: “Yes.”
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Mac Jones injury update: Patriots coach Belichick talks about progress
