Gun charges against Patriots CB Jack Jones dropped

Appearing Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court, the second-year defender agreed to a deal with prosecutors that led to the gun charges being dropped, Chris Mason of MassLive.com reports. Jones, 25, agreed to a year pre-trial probation and 48 hours of community service.

He had faced a number of charges — possessing a concealed weapon in a secure area of an airport, possessing ammunition without a firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device — in connection with the July arrest.

This news does not clear Jones from a potential NFL suspension. The league’s personal conduct policy does not require a conviction for a ban to ensue, but this certainly helps Jones, who was facing potential prison time after the arrest. Jones is set to be in uniform for the Patriots against the Eagles on Sunday.

This was not the first bout of legal trouble Jones has encountered. While at Moorpark College, Jones was arrested following an incident at a Panda Express, and he served 45 days of house arrest after pleading guilty to commercial burglary, which is a second-degree misdemeanor. 

The former USC recruit, however, managed rehabilitate his draft stock after transferring to Arizona State. The Patriots selected Jones in the 2022 fourth round and saw immediate promise. 

Pro Football Focus graded Jones as a top-20 corner last season. Despite starting only two games last season, Jones intercepted two passes — one of them resulting in a pick-six — and forced a fumble.

The Pats have Jack Jones positioned as a starting outside cornerback. He will join Jonathan Jones, who is now on his third Pats contract, and first-round pick Christian Gonzalez in comprising the top corner trio on Bill Belichick‘s 24th Patriots defense.