Bill Belichick says Pats will handle Mac Jones 'day by day' 12 times

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Bill Belichick says Patriots will handle Mac Jones injury 'day by day' 12 times

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/28/22

On Monday, New England Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones revealed few specifics about the reported high-ankle sprain he suffered in this past Sunday's 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and also repeated on multiple occasions at that time he was taking things "day to day" as it pertains to his status for this coming Sunday's matchup at the 2-1 Green Bay Packers.

One doesn't have to wonder where Jones learned such a tactic.

New England head coach Bill Belichick spoke with reporters Wednesday and offered a sarcastic response about not being "an orthopedic surgeon" when asked about Jones' ankle. As Mike Reiss pointed out for ESPN, a smirking Belichick also responded to a handful of questions by saying the Patriots were taking Jones' recovery "day by day" a total of 12 times during the media session:

Bill Belichick sticking with the "day by day" approach for Mac Jones and his injury.

"What do I look like? A Doctor?"

"You think I'm gunna read the MRI? That's not my job...it's day by day." @ABC6 #Patriots #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/ss8tXb4F6T
— Nick Coit (@NCoitABC6) September 28, 2022

Per Bleacher Report, Belichick famously repeated during a press conference in the fall of 2014 that he and the Patriots were "on to Cincinnati" as an apparent way to avoid questions about his then-struggling squad.

Current New York Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale seemed to troll Belichick over this moment following a preseason game between the clubs last month:

Wink Martindale's response to the suggestion that the Giants blitzed too much against the Patriots for a preseason game?

"We're on to Cincinnati" pic.twitter.com/LjVc2zeUF8
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) August 18, 2022

Belichick did confirm on Wednesday that backup Brian Hoyer will get the nod for the 1-2 Patriots at Green Bay over rookie and fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe if Jones can't play.

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