CLEVELAND — The New England Patriots demolished the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but one Patriots player was not around to see the end of the blowout victory.
Rookie cornerback Cyrus Jones was ejected early in the third quarter of New England’s 33-13 win after being flagged for unnecessary roughness on Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins.
“It’s their call,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters after the game. “I didn’t really see the play. I was on the other side of the field. It’s the officials’ call. I’m not going to argue with that. They’re in charge.”
Head referee Bill Vinovich said after the game Jones had thrown a punch in his altercation, resulting in his disqualification.
“Punch and connect, you are ejected,” Vinovich told pool reporter Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
It was the second major miscue of the game for Jones, who was burned by Hawkins on Cleveland’s first touchdown of the afternoon.
Jones also drew criticism for his two misguided kick returns during last Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots did not use the second-round draft pick as a kickoff or punt returner against Cleveland.
With cornerback Justin Coleman inactive for Sunday’s game, Jones’ ejection resulted in a promotion for undrafted rookie Jonathan Jones. The Auburn product filled in as New England’s third corner for the rest of the second half after not playing a single defensive snap in any of the Patriots’ first four games.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
