Source – Patriots not expected to take J.C. Jackson to Germany،
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots cornerback JC Jackson, who was demoted from the starting lineup in Sunday’s loss to the Commanders, is not expected to travel with the team to Frankfurt, Germany, for the game on Sunday against the Colts, a source confirmed.
NFL Network initially reported that Jackson would not travel for the game, citing questions about his reliability. SI.com also reported that Jackson was late to the team hotel on Saturday.
The Patriots acquired Jackson in a trade with the Chargers on October 5, as Jackson fell out of favor with the Chargers after signing a four-year, $82.5 million contract as a free agent in March 2022.
The Patriots lost rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, their first-round pick, to a torn right labrum on Oct. 1.
Jackson was used as a substitute in his first game in New England, where he had played the first four seasons of his career (2018-2021). He was then elevated to the starting lineup for the next three games.
On October 29 against the Dolphins, his technical breakdown led to a 42-yard touchdown run by Tyreek Hill, and he was then in coverage for another touchdown. When Jackson didn’t start last Sunday against the Commanders, head coach Bill Belichick said it wasn’t a benching and noted that all of the team’s cornerbacks played in the game (Jackson totaled 53 snaps).
Asked the next day about Jackson’s transition with the Patriots, Belichick said: “Well, it’s been a transition. I think his off-field training and his physical health and his fitness have definitely improved. So he’s made good job in that area. Consistency in the secondary from everyone is something we need to do a better job of.”
On Tuesday, cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino sidestepped questions about the team’s decision-making with Jackson, as well as second-year cornerback Jack Jones, who was also relegated to the depth chart.
Third-year pro Shaun Wade, who Belichick believes deserves more opportunities, made his second career start in place of Jackson.
“Things happen. I just put the guys on the field that I thought were ready to go at that time. Everyone knows what they have to do to play, I’ll leave it at that,” Pellegrino said.
“I’m not trying to create a narrative. I trust all my guys. They all came in and played…I think that’s what Shaun did to earn this right. Shaun had a great week of training. Shaun played very well and “He did his job. Shaun is a different player than he has been in the past. He got what he deserved. “
