Patriots quarterback Jones suffers ankle injury in loss, may miss multiple weeks

The New England Patriots are bracing for the possible loss of starting quarterback Mac Jones after he injured his left ankle in the final minutes of Sunday’s 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Jones was hurt on the Patriots’ final offensive play, an interception with 1:55 remaining. The 2021 first-round pick landed hard on turf from a hit by Baltimore defensive lineman Calais Campbell, then hobbled to the sidelines while grabbing his ankle before being taken straight to the locker room.

NFL.com reports that X-rays on Jones’ ankle were negative, but the team is concerned he may have sustained tendon or ligament damage. A later update indicated the team believes Jones has suffered a high-ankle sprain, which could sidelines him for at least a month.

The 15th overall pick of last year’s draft, Jones started all 17 games for New England as a rookie and helped the Pats to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance. The 24-year-old completed 67.6 per cent of his passes while totaling 3801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Jones threw for 321 yards in Sunday’s loss, but was intercepted three times, giving him five through the 1-2 Patriots' first three games.

Should Jones not be able to play, veteran Brian Hoyer would start at quarterback for New England’s game at Green Bay next Sunday.

The 36-year-old Hoyer has made 39 career starts, but just two since 2018. His most recent starting appearance came in Week 4 of the 2020 season, when he threw for just 130 yards with no touchdown passes and one interception in New England’s 26-10 loss to Kansas City.