BY NICK ST. DENIS
The New York Jets have suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson "indefinitely" until they can figured out what the heck happened over the weekend.
Patterson went AWOL for two days, failing to show up to Gang Green's preseason game Friday night against the New York Giants nor contact the Jets higher-ups Saturday to tell them why.
General manager John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan, however, met with Patterson Sunday night to listen to his explanation for his absence. Apparently, they're not done listening.
"What we're going to do now is, he's going to be suspended indefinitely and that'll give us a little time to gather more information around what led to his behavior," Idzik said Monday, via Newsday. "And I think that way, we'll feel like we'll make a very informed decision what discipline will be forthcoming."
Patterson has been nursing multiple minor injuries this summer and didn't practice Monday.
The 31-year-old joined the team as the by-default No. 2 perimeter defensive back opposite Dee Milliner, though it's unclear whether Patterson will even get the starting nod Week 1 despite the fact that Milliner is recovering from an injury of his own and newly-moved safety-to-corner Antonio Allen is coming back from a head injury.
Patterson seems to think things will sort themselves out sooner than later.
"There's no need for concern," Patterson told USA TODAY Sports Monday. "The reports about me going AWOL are totally false. I have my reason for missing those days. I'm not going to go into specifics, but I've discussed those reasons with the people I need to discuss them with."
