The New York Jets questionable secondary took a mysterious turn over the weekend when cornerback Dimitri Patterson missed their preseason game against the New York Giants and disappeared for 48 hours. Patterson, who was suspended for the rest of the preseason by the team, said rumors he had gone AWOL are "completely false."
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"As it relates to my whereabouts and me missing for 48 hours without being seen or heard from me or my representative is completely false," Patterson told ESPN. "My agent reached out to the Jets organization multiple times several hours prior to Friday night's game. My commitment to the Jets organization and to my teammates has never been an issue and never will be an issue."
There were rumors that Patterson's departure came on the heels of him being unhappy about his place on the depth chart in the Jets secondary, but he denied those allegations.
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"As it relates to the rumors about my frustration in regards to the depth chart is totally and completely false. In nine years I have never had control over the depth chart," he said.
The team opted to suspend Patterson for his unexcused absence after not being present for Friday's 35-24 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Jets officials reportedly didn't hear from Patterson until the following day when his agent told the team he was fine and unharmed.
The disappearing act irked a lot of team officials and some of his teammates, according to reports. Patterson, 31, was reportedly annoyed by his role in the team's defense despite the fact that he claimed it had nothing to do with why he left the team.
Jets coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik met with Patterson on Sunday night after he went AWOL and opted to suspend him the rest of the preseason, which includes the Jets game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night.
Ryan and Idzik have remained mum on why exactly Patterson chose to leave, only saying that they discussed it with him on Sunday night.
Patterson, who is under contract on a one-year $3 million deal, will be eligible to return to the Jets on Monday when they begin to prepare for their Week 1 game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 7.
Patterson is injury prone and banged up right now with various leg injuries, but the Jets were hopeful to pair him up with second-year corner back Dee Milliner (high ankle sprain) who is also injured.
Patterson is slated to enter his 10th season in the NFL after stints with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. In his career, Patterson has 162 tackles, nine interceptions and two sacks.
It remains to be seen how New York will handle his public statements, but there are rumors that despite a slim secondary the Jets may just outright cut Patterson following his disappearing act.
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