New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray, who had a breakout game last Sunday, was sent home Friday after he reportedly overslept and arrived late to the team facility.
Gray’s phone died so his alarm did not go off, a source told Mark Garafolo of FOX Sports. When Gray arrived at Gillette Stadium, coach Bill Belichick told him to leave.
Gray texted teammates to apologize, Garafolo reported, and planned to return later in the day to apologize to Belichick in person.
Gray’s gaffe comes a day after the Patriots brought back running back LeGarrette Blount, who played for the Patriots in 2013 and was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
Gray, 24, ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11.
Blount received a two-year deal reportedly worth up to $2.35 million, though it is for the prorated minimum for the rest of 2014.
“That will be up to him, just like everybody else,” Belichick said Friday. “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.”
Belichick described Friday how the team had attempted to re-sign Blount in the offseason before he landed in Pittsburgh on a two-year, $3.85 million contract.
“It didn’t work out. It’s the business part of the NFL,” Belichick said. “He was released, he was available, and we were able to work out to have him back here. We’re glad to have him back.”
The Patriots will try to extend their winning streak to seven straight when they host the Detroit Lions on Sunday (1 p.m. FOX). The Lions, who are tied with Green Bay atop the NFC North and boast the league’s best total and scoring defense, are trying to avoid a second consecutive loss as they battle through their own rough stretch.
ABOUT THE LIONS (7-3): The defense is keeping them in games and the offense had been providing just enough to get by during a four-game winning streak but finally fell off last week, reaching the red zone only once in a 14-6 loss at Arizona. All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson was bottled up by Patrick Peterson in the loss and will face another strong cornerback in Darrelle Revis against the Patriots. Johnson has battled through injury all season and has been limited to 520 yards and three touchdowns. “Of course we want to be more explosive, make more big plays,” Johnson said. “It’s coming, it just takes some time.”
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (8-2): New England is having no problems with explosiveness on offense and is averaging 40.5 points during the six-game winning streak. The surge can be in part attributed to the return to health of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was a big part of the blocking front for Gray’s big game last week in addition to hauling in another TD catch. “He has phenomenal catching ability,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told reporters of Gronkowski. “I don’t think Gronk has ever done a catching drill in his life. He doesn’t even have to think about it.” Gronkowski has five TD receptions over the last three games.
NOTEBOOK: Detroit RB Joique Bell (ankle) sat out practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable. … Brady threw for 341 yards and four TDs the last time the teams met — a 45-24 New England win on Nov. 25, 2010.