Dimitri Patterson was suspended for his unexcused absence last Friday.
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Dimitri Patterson ended up getting just a slap on the wrist.
The Jets cornerback was suspended for the rest of preseason for his unexcused absence last week.
Patterson, a free agent signing this past offseason who was supposed to battle to be the starting cornerback opposite Dee Milliner, suddenly went missing last Friday before the Jets’ third preseason game against the Giants. He did not have contact directly with the team until Sunday night when he met with general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan.
“Additional terms of discipline will not be disclosed,” a release from the team said. “He is eligible to return 9/1.”
In other words, Patterson comes back six days before the season opener against the Raiders.
Injuries have decimated the Jets secondary. Milliner suffered a high ankle sprain which has him relegated to the sides indefinitely, while rookie cornerback Dexter McDougle is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Antonio Allen, who moved from safety to cornerback, suffered a concussion on Friday and may not be ready by the season opener.
So perhaps it should be no surprise that Patterson’s suspension ends in time to begin readying himself for a season opener where the cornerback depth will be thin.
Idzik would not comment on the details of Patterson’s absence when he addressed the media.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
