The Jets specified their punishment of cornerback Dimitri Patterson on Tuesday, announcing that his suspension for going AWOL last week will run through the end of the preseason.
The team also announced that additional terms of discipline would not be disclosed, but a fine of up to one week’s game check (roughly $89,000 in Patterson’s case) is the only other penalty available for detrimental conduct under the collective bargaining agreement.
Patterson, eligible to return Monday (two days after the league wide final cutdown), was disciplined for failing to show up for last Friday’s 35-24 preseason loss to the Giants and then going AWOL for the next 48 hours.
Patterson has not explained why he left, but coach Rex Ryan confirmed the Jets did not plan to have him in the starting lineup against the Giants after Patterson missed two weeks with leg injuries.
The announcement came just hours after Ryan had said he didn’t expect any resolution to Patterson’s situation before the Jets finish the preseason Thursday night against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Ryan is not ruling out releasing Patterson, though the journeyman was a projected starter and the Jets’ most high-profile veteran addition at cornerback this offseason.
Lee appeared to dispute a report last week claiming Jets coaches were disappointed Michael Vick passively accepted his fate as Geno Smith’s backup.
“Mike Vick has been great,” Lee said. “He has been a great addition. He came in here and did exactly what we asked him to do. He’s pushed Geno. He’s been a tremendous competitor.”
“I’m just shocked at what a team guy [Vick] has been from the start. But you put him on the field and he’s a competing machine. His eyes change. He wants to go. He wants to put it in the end zone every time he gets the ball.”
Ryan was asked if he had ever been in a more dire situation than the one the Jets currently are facing at cornerback, where three of their top four players are either out with injuries or suspended.
This is nothing, Ryan responded. “Guys, I coached at New Mexico Highlands,” he said.