Bill Belichick sticks up for Mac Jones regarding ‘dirty play’ on Brian Burns

Bill Belichick has a short and simple explanation for Mac Jones’ decision to grab Brian Burns’ ankle.

Carolina Panthers fans and players were livid, especially Haason Reddick, when Mac Jones grabbed Brian Burns’ ankle after losing a fumble.

With time winding down in the first quarter, Burns strip-sacked Jones and the quarterback immediately clenched onto his ankle. Burns went down with an ankle injury but he quickly got back in the game — he went down with a more serious ankle injury in the fourth quarter and it’s unknown if there was a relation.

Reddick had a very strong stance on the situation.

“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.”

On Monday while appearing on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Belichick had a simple response to the play.

“I think he thought Burns had the ball,” he said.

The Patriots eventually won the game 24-6 and improved to a 5-4 record with the Cleveland Browns (5-4) up next on the docket.

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