Come on, Jonas Gray. Seriously?
Less than a week after having the game of his life and subsequently appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the entirely unheralded New England Patriots running back made a mistake that could cost him a starring role in coach Bill Belichick's backfield.
Gray showed up late for practice on Friday and, per Belichick's longstanding rules, was sent home.
He was expected to return later to apologize to the coaching staff, according to Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal.
Gray managed 201 yards and four touchdowns this past Sunday in a game against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been present for practice every other day this week.
Gray's excuse for his tardiness was a cellphone that died overnight, meaning his alarm did not go off in the morning, according to a report from Mike Reiss of ESPN.
Star cornerback Darrelle Revis missed a practice in October before the Patriot's game against Chicago because he was late to Gillette Stadium and sent home. It did not affect his playing time in the game.
The same may not be true for Gray. Newly signed power running back LeGarette Blount has skills very similar to Gray. Belichick said earlier this week that Blount would have to earn his playing time and wait for an opportunity to arise, according to ESPN.
"That will be up to him, just like everybody else," Belichick said Friday morning. "When he gets an opportunity, [it's] how much he can take advantage of it, how much he can be productive and what he can do with those opportunities [that] will determine how many more there are. It's totally up to him.
"We've talked about that. He knows that's the way it is, and he's excited about it."
With Gray possibly inadvertently putting himself in Belichick's doghouse, this could be just that opportunity.
