What Patriots’ J.C. Jackson learned from recent discipline from Bill Belichick

FOXBORO — There are no hard feelings between head coach Bill Belichick and J.C. Jackson after the Patriots cornerback was left home in New England while the team traveled to Germany in Week 10.

Jackson admitted to missing “bed check” at the team hotel prior to the Patriots’ Week 9 loss to the Commanders. He was benched for the beginning of that game and then didn’t travel with the team to play the Colts. The Patriots officially listed it as a “personal” matter.

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“Just be a pro, man,” Jackson told the Herald. “Be a pro all around, which I am. But it’s the little things that they’re watching. For real. The little things they’re watching. You’re like, ‘God damn.’ I didn’t think the curfew — it just blowed up like that. So, it’s the little things, bro. I just learned. That’s discipline. That’s what I needed, and I learned from it.”

Jackson did admit to some surprise that Belichick took his discipline so far.

“I kind of was, but that’s Bill, bro,” Jackson said. “He’s going to discipline you, bro. That’s what I like about him. He don’t care who you is, nothing like that. He treats everybody the same for the most part. That’s what he believes in: disciplining guys and doing stuff like that. I’m cool with it. I’m not mad. I don’t have anything to say. It’s all on me. I take full responsibility for it.”

Jackson, who started his career with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland, was reacquired last month in a trade after he had fallen out of favor with the Chargers. The Patriots needed help after two cornerbacks — rookie Christian Gonzalez and second-year pro Marcus Jones — were placed on injured reserve.

The Patriots need Jackson to get back on track. They waived another cornerback, second-year pro Jack Jones, after their trip to Germany. Jack Jones was also benched in Week 9, and the team didn’t like the way he responded in their game against the Colts.

“My return this week has been going pretty good,” Jackson said. “I’m just back where I left off at. I took a couple of days off, but I’m back. I’m back with the team ready to play, ready to play the Giants this week and get a win.”

Belichick has liked what he’s seen from Jackson after a two-week break, which included the Patriots’ bye.

“Yeah, J.C.’s been good,” Belichick said Friday. “He’s been good. He’s practiced well, been ready to go, competed well.”

Jackson said this week that he’s practiced like he’ll have a full role in Sunday’s game against the Giants.

The veteran cornerback suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury early last season with the Chagers. It also seemed to limit him early in his 2023 campaign. He’s happy with his progress at this point, however.

“I’m getting better, man. I look good out there,” he said. “But I’m going to let Sunday talk for me, though. I’m going to let Sunday do the talking for me.”

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