New England Patriots CB J.C. Jackson Status vs. Indianapolis Colts, Benching Reasons Revealed

The New England Patriots will be making their Week 10 trip to Frankfurt, Germany for a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts without cornerback J.C. Jackson.

FOXBORO — New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson is not expected to play in the team's Week 10 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Jackson, per a Wednesday morning NFL Network report, is not expected to travel with the team to Frankfurt, Germany for their game against the Colts due to “questions about his reliability.” Accordingly, the decision was made to have Jackson “remain home, get through the bye and return in a better place.”

Jackson was conspicuous by his absence from the first two defensive series of the team’s Week 9 loss to the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium last Sunday.

Although Jackson ultimately received notable playing time (53 snaps, logging only one combined tackle) the reason for his demotion remained something of a mystery in the game’s aftermath. However, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was not in a divulgatory mood when speaking with reporters at that time. 

“Everybody played. They all played,” Belichick told reporters when questioned regarding Jackson’s status — as well as that of Jack Jones who sat out the entire first quarter —for Sunday’s game “We played all the corners,” he added. “We played all the safeties. Really, we played everyone on the defense.”

New England Patriots CB J.C. Jackson / Cred: USA Today Sports Images

Jackson also brushed away reporters during postgame locker room availability by saying “I’m not talking.”

The initial report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic appeared to reveal that both Jackson and Jones had been benched due to “recent performance issues.” While each has shown flashes of prominence in New England's secondary, Jackson gave up five catches for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns,

Still, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on Wednesday that the action taken against Jackson was partly punitive, as the cornerback was late to the team hotel on Saturday. Jackson is no stranger to friction with his coaching staffs, as of late Several reports indicate that his tension with the Los Angeles Chargers defensive staff led to his trade to the Patriots last month. 

Jackson re-joined the Patriots via trade from the Los Angeles Chargers in early October. The 27-year-old spent from 2018-21 with the Patriots — a four-year stint which included a Super Bowl championship (LIII) and earning nods as a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. Since his return, he has logged 14 tackles and three passes-defensed.

Meanwhile, the Patriots — sans Jackson — travel to Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday for a Week 10 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts as a part of the NFL's International Series of games. Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. ET from Frankfurt Stadium.