Patriots’ Jack Jones breaks silence on arrest, departure from practice

FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback Jack Jones spoke to reporters Friday for the first time since he was arrested on felony gun charges for allegedly carrying two loaded firearms into Logan Airport in June.

It wasn’t Jones’ only recent incident. The 25-year-old cornerback also abruptly left practice without medical attention Thursday. Twenty minutes after Jones left the field following a pass breakup over wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, he returned to the sideline and took a knee for the remainder of practice. It’s unclear what caused Jones to leave practice and whether he was ejected or chose to leave on his own.

Here’s what Jones had to say Friday about his arrest and departure from practice after the Patriots’ annual night session under the lights at Gillette Stadium:

Q: With everything going on around you and everything, what’s your state of mind out here as you go about your business on a daily basis?

Jones: “When I get out here on this football field, it’s all ball, man. I just come out here to play ball, give it my all and do what I’m supposed to do for the team.

Q: Jack, as it pertains to the night you were arrested, the police have made it known what they think happened. From your point of view, what’s your version of events?

Jones: “I mean, I can’t answer that question. That’s a question for my lawyer.”

Q: How optimistic are you that you’re going to be a part of this team?

Jones: “That’s not my call, that’s up to coach (Belichick). I just do what I’m supposed to do on the field, give it my all every day and hopefully fall into the right place.”

Q: What happened yesterday in practice?

Jones: “Yesterday in practice? Just football, you know. Today is today. It’s in the past. Nothing bad. We’re good today, though.”

Q: “Jack, are you worried about your future with the team and in the NFL?”

Jones: “I mean, every day you’re worried about your future on any team because this league is very liquid. You could be here and gone tomorrow on any team, so you’ve just got to go out there and participate, and availability is the best ability.”

Patriots veteran safety Jabrill Peppers put his arm around Jones before he left the practice field Thursday. After Jones returned, he spoke with Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh and then had a lengthy conversation with veteran defensive back Jalen Mills.

“Kinda want to keep that between me and him,” Mills said Friday. “Jack is a phenomenal player, a young guy who’s growing each and every day on this team and just got to continue to do that.”

Mills said he can’t “speak on” what caused Jones to leave the practice field.

“Gotta ask Coach (Bill Belichick).”

Patriots assistants were reticent about the matter Friday during video conferences with reporters.

“Ask (Patriots cornerbacks coach Mike) Pellegrino or coach (Belichick),” said linebackers coach Jerod Mayo.

Pellegrino, who opened his comments by noting Jones’ pass breakup in the team period that preceded his departure, was similarly tight-lipped.

“We had a conversation. That conversation is personal,” Pellegrino said, “and we’re moving on to training camp (Day) 9 and (will) watch him grow each day forward.”

Asked if Jones could grow from whatever was said, Pellegrino declined to say.

“The conversations I have with my players are personal, especially in situations like that,” he added. “… You guys don’t know what happened. But I’m not going to share what we spoke about.”

Sign up for email newsletters