Through four games this season, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been hit a lot.
According to the NFL game books, Jones has been hit 34 times, including a season-high 12 in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.
If things continue the way that they have, it's hard to imagine the rookie being able to make it through a full 17 games without getting injured.
Speaking on Merloni & Fauria Monday, Jones was asked about the hits he's taken and he said some of them are his fault.
"I think it's just part of the game," he said. "Like backyard football, you're going to get hit. That's kind of the fun part of it. You just roll with the punches and get up.
"And a lot of the stuff -- I always say this, and I am not just saying it to say it, but I can do a better job of whether it's moving or getting the ball out, or just committing to the throw, whatever the throw may be. Just learning from those hits. The offensive line played well, actually really good. Of course, you're going to get hit sometimes when a team's going to pressure more and you've just got to roll with the punches."
With the loss, the Patriots are now 1-3 on the year, but Jones noted how the team has been one or two plays away in the losses. Against Tampa, the third-down pass before the missed field goal on the final drive was batted down at the line of scrimmage instead of being a first down to Jakobi Meyers.
"The last minute of the game, we were one or two plays away," he said. "We said that over and over that's what it comes down to. If the guy doesn’t put his hand up, or whatever happens, and the ball doesn’t get tipped, it’s just a totally different game. It sucks, but it’s part of football. It’s not always going to go your way, but you’ve got to just keep moving forward and try and get some wins on the board.”
Jones and the Patriots will travel to Houston this week.
