Tag: Kristian Wilkerson

Matt Rhule not ruling out cutting Kenny Robinson after hit on Patriots WR Kristian Wilkerson

A bigger punishment could be looming for Panthers’ CB Kenny Robinson.

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule isn’t pleased with the constant fighting during the two days of joint practices with the New England Patriots.

He specifically had words for Panthers cornerback Kenny Robinson, who was ejected in both Tuesday and Wednesday’s practice.

The most egregious incident was on Wednesday when Robinson delivered a vicious hit to Patriots receiver Kristian Wilkerson on a kickoff. And then he stood over him and celebrated while the receiver was still lying on the ground from an injury.

Those actions set the tone for another practice that would eventually result into more fists flying between the two teams. Patriots captain Matthew Slater had strong words on the incident. And Rhule did as well.

When asked if Robinson could potentially be cut for his actions, the Panthers head coach didn’t rule it out.

“We’ll have to wait and see about everybody,” said Rhule, via NESN’s Zack Cox. “I haven’t even seen the play. I saw, like, a grainy video copy. But I have to see what happened. But, you know, it’s two days now where practice was affected by a guy — so, we’ll have to talk about it, see where we are.”

It was revealed on Wednesday night that Wilkerson had suffered a concussion from the hit. So things have certainly elevated to the level of at least some form of discipline potentially being handed out.

How far Rhule goes with that discipline remains to be seen.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=125414]

Kristian Wilkerson reportedly suffers concussion from vicious joint practice hit

Not the news anyone was hoping to hear.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson reportedly suffered a concussion after absorbing a vicious hit from Carolina Panthers defensive back Kenny Robinson on a kickoff on Wednesday.

The Athletic’s NFL insider, Jeff Howe, reported the news on Wednesday night.

There were differing opinions on whether the hit was dirty or not, but there was no questioning that Robinson’s behavior in the aftermath was completely out of line.

While Wilkerson was still lying on the ground, the Panthers’ cornerback stood over him and celebrated. Panthers coach Matt Rhule admitted he didn’t see the hit, but he did see Robinson standing over Wilkerson, which led to the team tossing him out of practice.

But the situation could possibly elevate with news of Wilkerson suffering a concussion.

Howe wrote:

“Patriots WR Kristian Wilkerson suffered a concussion today during the team’s joint practice with the Panthers, per source. Kenny Robinson hit Wilkerson during a kickoff drill then stood over him, causing a brawl between the teams. Wilkerson was carted off.”

The bad blood could still be boiling between the Patriots and Panthers heading into their preseason game on Friday night. But this latest incident ended with Wilkerson getting hurt and a fight between players spilling over into the stands.

It hasn’t been a good look for either team. Here’s to hoping that somehow, someway, they bury the hatchet before game day.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=125462]

Matthew Slater calls out Panthers player for celebrating over injured teammate

Patriots captain Matthew Slater called out injury celebrations in Wednesday’s joint practice with the Panthers.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson was carted off the field on Wednesday afternoon in what was another fight-filled joint practice session with the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers defensive back Kenny Robinson hit Wilkerson on a kickoff and then celebrated with Wilkerson laid out on the field.

The Patriots sideline did not agree with this, including 10-time Pro Bowler Matthew Slater, who voiced his frustrations with what happened after the hit.

Wilkerson was carted to the locker room and was taken for an off-site medical evaluation, per NESN’s Zack Cox. Robinson was ejected from the practice, which was the second time in the last two days.

Following the practice, Slater offered his take on how he viewed Robinson’s actions toward Wilkerson.

“When you see a teammate down on the field — I’ve been around this game for a long time, and I think anybody that plays at this level understands when a guy is out,” the Patriots’ longtime special teams captain said after Wednesday’s practice. “They know what that looks like, and I don’t think that’s the time to celebrate. I really don’t. Look, I don’t have a problem with the hit. I didn’t see it, but I think it was clean, from my understanding.

“But I don’t think we should ever celebrate when someone is down and clearly in a dire situation. I personally take issue with that — any one of my teammates. And I don’t want us doing it on the flip side of that if somebody else is down with clear signs and symptoms of a significant injury. So that was my issue with it, and that’s why I responded strongly the way I did.”

This marks the second day in a row that fights have occurred with these two teams. These chippy sets of practices serve as the lead-up to what could be an explosive preseason game on Friday.

It should be intriguing to see what happens, as the Patriots look to bounce back from their loss to the New York Giants last Thursday. If nothing else, the last couple of days have provided a build-up to the game itself.

The Patriots have one more preseason contest following their game with the Panthers, as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders to finish out the exhibition slate.

[listicle id=125462]

Fists fly in another massive brawl at Patriots-Panthers joint practice

Things got even uglier on Day 2 of joint practices.

Things are starting to get downright ugly on the practice field in the joint sessions between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. Elevated tensions from multiple fights on day one led to more punches being thrown on day two on Wednesday.

An incident involving Patriots receiver Kristian Wilkerson and Panthers cornerback Kenny Robinson was once again at the center of it all. Wilkerson reportedly got knocked out by Robinson during a kickoff and had to be carted off the field.

Multiple Patriot players were upset after the play. So several back-and-forths on the field continued between the two teams and ultimately boiled over after Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was knocked out of bounds.

Per NBC Sports’ Tom Curran, McCaffrey spiked the ball at Wise before another Panthers player “drove” the Patriots defender into the stands, where he landed on a woman watching the practice.

The joint practices are created for the benefit of both teams in getting a different look and working against an actual opponent.

But these practice sessions have taken a dramatic turn for the worst. It’s a terrible look that dampens the hope of future arrangements.

Once again, multiple players were ejected from practice, including Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard and Robinson.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available on this story.

[listicle id=125241]

Multiple players ejected after fight breaks out at Patriots-Panthers joint practice

Things got ugly on the practice field between the Patriots and Panthers.

The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are meeting on Tuesday for a joint practice, and it didn’t take long for things to turn into a full-on Royal Rumble.

Multiple players were kicked out of practice after a fight broke out on the field. A sideline play with Patriots receiver Kristian Wilkerson being tackled out of bounds led to some back-and-forth chatter before all hell broke loose.

Punches were reportedly thrown during the skirmish. Patriots wideout Kendrick Bourne and Panthers defensive back Kenny Robinson were involved in the incident as well.

Bourne, Wilkerson and Robinson were all kicked out of practice.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

Another fight occurred after the initial one that led to more players being ejected.

Coach Bill Belichick was not happy with the extracurricular activities on the field. He even went as far as pulling the team together for a “long huddle” in an effort to diffuse the situation.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=125258]

Secret Superstars for Week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has scoured preseason tape, and here are his Secret Superstars for Week 1 of this NFL preseason.

Those party-poopers who tell you that “It’s only the preseason” have never tried to make an NFL team, or grab a starting role, by the skin of their teeth. For more players than not, the three-game stretch before the regular season begins is their best way to prove that they belong on an NFL roster once things get “real.”

Now that Week 1 of the 2022 preseason is in the books, here are the players we think have done the most to create — or enhance — those favorable impressions when they matter the most.

The players on this list are not the obvious names — there are no first-rounders, or players who came into the new season with advanced amounts of hype based on their collegiate or previous NFL exploits. These guys are either trying to stake their claims, or save their careers.

So, let’s take a look at the Secret Superstars of Week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason.

(All metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus unless otherwise indicated).

Instant analysis of Patriots’ 23-21 preseason home loss to Giants

The Patriots fall short in the preseason opener against the Giants.

The New England Patriots might not have a true offensive coordinator, but they certainly have a true gunslinger in Bailey Zappe, who nearly engineered a comeback victory in Thursday’s preseason loss to the New York Giants.

With less than five minutes left in the game and the Patriots down by six, the rookie quarterback stood in the line of fire from incoming blitzers and heaved up a soft touchdown pass to receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

It was one of many throws Zappe put in the air with full faith in his receivers to go up and get it. There wasn’t an iota of hesitance shown by the fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, the defense wilted in the end by giving up a 69-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal kick by Graham Gano that iced the game.

There were definitely some positives to take away for the Patriots, including the linebacker speed they were able to show off on defense. Mack Wilson, who came to the team in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for Chase Winovich, was constantly flying around the field and putting himself in position to make plays.

Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings found their way into the offensive backfield often as well. Granted, it would be nice to see the team actually finish with more sacks, even though they were able to generate a lot of pressure early. Uche came away with the lone sack on the night.

The Patriots’ young receivers also stepped up in the game. Rookie wideout Tyquan Thornton flashed some of that ridiculous speed we’ve seen in training camp, and Tre Nixon had a strong second half after dropping a wide open pass in the first half that would have led to a third-down conversion.

But this was Kristian Wilkerson’s game.

The third-year receiver was arguably the team’s best offensive performer on a night where he hauled in eight receptions for 99 yards.

The good news is the Patriots won’t have long to reflect on the loss. It’s on to the Carolina Panthers next week for a couple of planned joint practices and the second preseason game on August 19.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=125007]

Mac Jones continuing to get workouts in with training camp nearing

Mac Jones put together another workout on Friday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been busy this offseason. He has been working out with teammates on numerous occasions in preparation for the 2022 campaign.

Jones was in the Dallas area last Friday with running back Rhamondre Stevenson and receivers Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Kristian Wilkerson. The workout also featured former Arkansas Pine Bluff receiver Tyrin Ralph and Trejan Bridges. The latter was a teammate of Stephenson’s at Oklahoma.

Following the workout, Humphrey posted a picture on his Instagram.

This could be important work for Wilkerson in particular. He is in his third season with the Patriots and is going to have to make his mark in a crowded wide receivers room. He caught four passes for 42 yards in two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars back in January.

As the Patriots look to move back atop the AFC East, Jones is showing that he is doing whatever he can to make it happen.

[lawrence-related id=124050]

OLB Chase Winovich, WR Kristian Wilkerson among Patriots’ inactives for playoff-opener

New England ruled out Kristian Wilkerson, a practice squad elevation

The New England Patriots didn’t have many surprises with their inactives for their playoff-opener against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.

New England ruled out Isaiah Wynn on Friday with the left tackle managing a hip and ankle injury. He was among the inactives list which also included tight end Devin Asiasi, running back J.J. Taylor, quarterback Jarrett Stidham, defensive tackle Carl Davis, defensive end Chase Winovich and receiver Kristian Wilkerson.

New England will also be without cornerback Jalen Mills, who the Patriots placed on the reserve/COVID list this week.

Winovich, a former third-round pick, has been in and out of the active roster over the season. The Patriots promoted Wilkerson to the active roster as a practice-squad elevation, but elected not to use him on game day. Wilkerson was among four elevations: defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale and cornerbacks D’Angelo Ross and De’Vante Bausby from the practice squad. They will play Saturday night, unlike Wilkerson.

New England and Buffalo kick off at 8:20 p.m. on Saturday night.

[listicle id=117370]

Patriots rule out Dont’a Hightower, elevate three players from practice squad

New England did not elevate WR Kristian Wilkerson.

The New England Patriots ruled out linebacker Dont’a Hightower on Saturday ahead of their Week 18 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. New England will need to lean on linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins.

The Patriots also elevated three players from the practice squad on Saturday. Safety Sean Davis, defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale and cornerback D’Angelo Ross will be available on Sunday. Ekuale and Ross have been regular practice-squad elevations. Davis seems to be available in response to the team ruling out safety Kyle Dugger with a hand injury.

With Nelson Agholor returning from a concussion injury, the Patriots did not activate Kristian Wilkerson from the practice squad. He will remain inactive despite catching two touchdowns in Week 17.

New England has clinched the playoffs but is playing for seeding, even though they have been eliminated from contention for the No. 1 seed. Miami has been eliminated from playoff contention. The two teams kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET.

[listicle id=117113]