FOXBORO, Mass. — Jabrill Peppers’ first punt return in two years wasn’t supposed to happen.
When the New England Patriots sent the veteran safety out to field a punt in the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, he was instructed to fair-catch it. That was the safe choice, and probably a smart one given the conditions at Metlife Stadium (windy and rainy) and Peppers’ lack of recent experience in that role.
But he couldn’t help himself.
When Peppers caught Thomas Morstead’s punt just inside his own 20-yard line, he spotted a seam and took off, picking up 18 yards before being shepherded out of bounds.