Javon Baker didn’t record a reception in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Commanders, but he still did something that his new coach liked on Friday.
The second-year wide receiver was a part of the Patriots’ special teams unit in the 48-18 win, which Baker later said was the first time he had ever played special teams in his football career.
For a special teams novice, Baker did well in his debut in that area of the game. He recorded a tackle on the Patriots’ first kickoff of the game, taking down Commanders’ returner Demetric Felton. He made his second and final tackle in the second quarter, taking down Jaylin Lane on a Commanders punt return for just a one-yard gain.