The Patriots’ starting cornerback was a no-show on Sunday.
J.C. Jackson was a surprise absentee during the New England Patriots’ 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Despite being declared active for the game, the veteran cornerback did not participate in the contest and was not even spotted on the sidelines.
A new report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter quoting Jackson’s agent, Neil Schwartz, sheds light on the situation. The 28-year-old apparently missed the game due to “mental health issues.”
“He wasn’t available. Leave it at that,” was all head coach Bill Belichick had to say on the matter during his postgame press conference.
For Jackson, his absence on Sunday is just the latest chapter in an eventful 2023 season.
The former undrafted free agent, who rose to prominence with the Patriots between 2018 and 2021, started the year with the Los Angeles Chargers. But despite being only in the second season of a five-year, $82.5 million contract, the team decided to make him available via trade.
New England, which had just lost rookie standout Christian Gonzalez to a season-ending shoulder injury, was willing to bring Jackson aboard in early October. Since then, he has seen action in nine games, registering 25 combined tackles.
However, Jackson also missed some time along the way. He remained sidelined for the first three drives of New England’s Week 8 loss the Washington Commanders — reportedly the result of him missing curfew the previous day — and did not make the trip to Germany to play against the Indianapolis Colts the following week.
The Patriots were reportedly hoping for a “mental reset” after that break, and Jackson indeed returned to the lineup following New England’s game in Germany. But while he did start all three contests since and has rarely left the field, he was nowhere to be seen against Kansas City on Sunday.
In his place, the Patriots turned to undrafted rookie and mid-season pickup Alex Austin to play a more prominent role. The team also used Jonathan Jones on the perimeter versus the Chiefs.
The Patriots will fly to Colorado next, taking on the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.