New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots had a 28-6 lead at halftime of their Week 4 battle against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium, and much of that was due to cornerback Marcus Jones.
In the first quarter, Jones got New England on the scoreboard with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, with the score 21-6 Patriots, Jones returned another punt for 61 yards, putting New England in great position to score at the Panthers’ 14-yard line. Antonio Gibson ended up scoring a rushing touchdown four plays later.
Jones’ two epic returns landed him in the Patriots’ record book. He’s now tied with Julian Edelman for the most 60-yard punt returns in team history with four, per the Patriots Communications Department.
Also per the Patriots’ Communications Department, Jones’ 148 first-half punt return yards rank ninth in the NFL in a single half since at least 1991.
Jones, 26, is in his fourth NFL season, all with New England. The Patriots drafted him out of Houston with the No. 85 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
After a shoulder injury limited Jones to two games in 2023, he returned last season as New England’s starting slot corner and primary punt returner, appearing in 14 games (nine starts). He tallied 58 tackles, 10 pass deflections and one interception in 2024.
