Patriots’ Javon Baker reportedly had ‘hiccup’ on London trip

Baker needs to earn more trust from his coaches, ESPN's Mike Reiss wrote.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker had an issue during the team’s trip to London that led to him getting benched.

Baker missed three consecutive games before being activated against the Jets on Sunday. His most recent action was in Week 3 when he received six snaps on special teams.

“Before the Patriots can trust rookie receiver Javon Baker on the field, the fourth-round pick from Central Florida needs to earn more trust off it,” Reiss wrote. “Baker had a ‘hiccup’ in London last week when it came to following at least one part of the team’s itinerary, according to a team source, and was inactive for a third straight game.”

The rookie receiver showed flashes during the preseason but has been unable to get on the field consistently during the regular season. He has zero catches on zero targets.

Earlier in the week, Baker told reporters he wasn’t sure why he didn’t play and felt he was heading in the right direction.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said he needed to see improvement before playing Baker more. He said there will be a time when Baker sees the field and believes the rookie wideout will eventually be a good player for the Patriots.

Baker’s hiccup came during the same week that K.J. Osborn posted a screenshot from a sports agent on Instagram praising him for navigating a change in his role on the trip.

According to the post, the Patriots told Osborn on Wednesday that he would be inactive for the game. He was later informed, the night before the game, that he would be activated. Osborn caught two passes in the loss, including his first touchdown of the season.

The team disciplined Baker in September for a video he posted on Instagram Live during which he criticized local law enforcement after getting a traffic ticket at Logan Airport.

From Baker’s incidents to DeMario Douglas calling his lack of touches frustrating earlier in the season, Kayshon Boutte telling reporters that he had to demand the ball from coaches, and Ja’Lynn Polk catching zero passes the week after saying he has the best hands in the league, the Patriots wide receiver room has seen its share of controversy this season.

The Patriots need more out of that group, and Baker handling his business enough to get on the field would be a start.

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.