Panthers’ Brian Burns wishes NFL defenders ‘happy hunting’ of Patriots QB Mac Jones
Panthers defensive end Brian Burns said the incident with Mac Jones on Sunday was “some bull,” and insisted that he likely did it on purpose.
Burns said he watched the video of the incident and came away disturbed. He said he didn’t believe Jones’ explanation that he thought Burns had the ball.
“If I had the ball, don’t you think I’d be getting tackled, or your teammate would help?” Burns said. “I don’t think it’s cool, but it’s whatever.”
The incident happened with 39 seconds left in the first quarter of the Panthers’ game against the Patriots. Burns strip-sacked Jones, creating a turnover. When Burns attempted to run after the fumble, Jones grabbed his arm, then ankle.
“Everything didn’t seem right about it,” Burns said. “He looked at me and walked off like he did his job.”
Burns re-injured the ankle in the fourth quarter. Burns said he had been dealing with the same ankle injury in the past. He said he has not received an apology from Jones or the Patriots but would like one.
In addressing the incident, Jones said he didn’t know what was going on.
“I thought he had the ball, and it was my job to try and make the tackle — that’s pretty much it,” Jones told WEEI’s Merloni & Fauria, a Boston radio station, on Monday. “Obviously, when you get up and see the ball down the field a little bit more, it was just a bang-bang play and I didn’t mean to hurt anybody or anything like that. I was just trying to tackle and make the play.”
On Wednesday, Jones was asked by media members in Boston whether he’d apologize to Burns.
His response: “I already addressed that situation.”
On Monday, Burns’ teammates defended him, and called the play “BS.” Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, who isn’t normally outspoken, said the play looked “suspect” on Wednesday.
The NFL plans to review the incident and could impose a fine to Jones.
Burns and Jones played against each other in high school. Burns played for American Heritage in Plantation, Fla., while Jones played at the Boles School in Jacksonville. A video surfaced online of Burns sacking Jones. Jones got up and pushed Burns’ teammate, while Burns celebrated.
Burns said he didn’t even realize they played each other until he read stories about it.
Burns attended practice Wednesday but did not participate as he deals with the ankle injury. When asked whether he thought he’d play Sunday against the Cardinals, Burns said he doesn’t see himself not playing.
Burns said he’d like to play the Patriots again, though it wouldn’t happen again this season unless both teams are in the Super Bowl.
“I wish all my fellow D-end brothers happy hunting,” Burns said.
Two Panthers players designated to return
The Panthers designated wide receiver Brandon Zylstra and rookie offensive lineman Deonte Brown to return to practice from injured reserve Wednesday. Both players were on IR for three weeks.
Neither has been added to the 53-man roster yet. The Panthers currently have 51 players on their roster.
Zylstra, who primarily plays special teams, has played well this season. He has eight catches for 139 yards and a receiving touchdown this season.
Brown has not played in a game this season, but he would provide depth on the offensive line.
▪ The Panthers signed Barkley from the Titans’ practice squad. He passed his physical and practiced for the first time on Wednesday.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 3:09 PM.
