Patriots Long Snapper Joe Cardona Cleared By Navy To Play This Season

Joe Cardona will be permitted to suit up for the New England Patriots this season after all.

The long snapper’s status for the 2016 campaign came into question last week after U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said on “The Dan Patrick Show” that military duties might force Cardona, a 2015 Naval Academy graduate, to put his NFL career on hold.

Mabus announced Friday, however, that wouldn’t be necessary, telling “The Dan Patrick Show” that both Cardona and ex-Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds are eligible to play for their respective NFL teams this season.

Cardona, a fifth-round pick of the Patriots in 2015, served as New England’s long snapper for 16 games last season while also working one day each week at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I.

“This year was great, being on the field,” Cardona told reporters in January. “I obviously have a higher priority than being here. It’s different. It’s important to me that I’m doing my job on both ends the best I can.”

The Baltimore Ravens selected Reynolds in the sixth round of 2016 NFL Draft and plan to use him as a wide receiver and return man.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images