Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Addresses Javon Baker’s Healthy Scratch

Javon Baker didn’t factor into the Patriots’ plans for New England’s road win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

It doesn’t sound like he will in Week 2, either.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was asked about Baker on Wednesday, and more specifically, whether being designated as a healthy scratch last week was a disciplinary move.

“I don’t want to get into a lot of that,” Mayo said, per team-provided video. “I will say, he has to continue to progress and continue to develop — both on and off the field. That’s my responsibility, ultimately.”

Baker found himself in some hot water a few weeks back, taking to Instagram Live while ranting about a police officer who pulled him over and gave him a ticket. Mayo condemned the decision, saying it “in no way represents what the organization is about, in no way represents what we are about as a team or how Javon needs to go out there and represent himself.”

The Patriots only had five active wide receivers against the Bengals, with K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton and Ja’Lynn Polk serving as the only wideouts to actually see the field. Kayshon Boutte dressed but did not play.

Baker is healthy, but given what Mayo had to say about his development mid-week, it doesn’t look like he’ll be called upon Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium.