The New England Patriots are gearing up for Saturday's playoff tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs, but now the team is dealing with a distraction.
The team has confirmed that defensive end Chandler Jones was taken to the hospital on Sunday.
The Boston Herald reports Jones showed up at the Foxboro Police Department with a medical emergency, and was then taken to Norwood Hospital. He was treated and released.
According to audio recordings from Foxboro Police and Fire dispatch, Jones made his way to the police department on foot, and initial conversation explaining his arrival stated that he was a "confused party." A police officer who was sent to Jones' home to secure it told dispatch that Jones "was definitely involved with Class D delta before this happened," a likely reference to Class D narcotics.
The Boston Globe's Chris Gasper, citing a source, is reporting that Jones had a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana.
The Patriots released a statement saying, "Chandler Jones was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and released that day. He reported to work on time Monday morning and has participated in all meetings and practices since then."
Jones was at practice on Wednesday, necn's John Moroney reports, but he wasn't talking. Other Patriots players also had little to say about the situation.
"His locker is right over there. You can ask him about it," offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer said.
Special teams captain Matthew Slater said he doesn't know enough to comment, but "Chandler has our support."
New England Patriots
Foxboro Town Manager William G. Keegan Jr. issued a press release Wednesday saying that the town is in the process of assembling and reviewing all documents and information relative to Sunday's incident. He said the town will discuss the matter with its lawyers before releasing any documents or further statements.
"We fully appreciate and understand the need for transparency and full disclosure, as required by law, with respect to public safety actions as this," he said. "However, we are likewise, well aware of and are bound by law to secure individual rights and privileges involved when medical response actions taken (are) by the Town's public safety personnel."
Keegan said all formal requests for the release of public records that have been received "will be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner once a full review of all such records is completed."
