Felix Jones may not come back this year - on IR now (1 Viewer)

[Riffraff]

Link that made Switz cry.

IRVING, Texas - For the first time in more than a month, Felix Jones was back on the practice field at Valley Ranch.

For how long, though, might be a better question.

The Cowboys' rookie running back has been battling through a hamstring injury he suffered on Oct. 12 in Arizona. But despite returning to practice on Wednesday, Jones is also dealing with a toe injury that occurred last week during his rehab, according to team sources.

Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was in Arlington to announce that the new Cowboys' stadium will host the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2014, sounded concerned about his rookie tailback, stating that the hamstring injury is not the only problem.

"There's more," Jerry Jones said referring to a separate injury. "We're not looking at his ham(string) right now. We're trying to see if the more will allow him to play."

When asked about Felix Jones' status on Wednesday, head coach Wade Phillips didn't sound too encouraged that his rookie running back would be in action against the 49ers this Sunday.

"I don't know. I didn't get a good feel that he would, or wouldn't," Phillips said. "Felix was limited today . . . we'll just see. There are some other things that came up during his rehab. But we're working on those, too."

Those other things involve a toe injury that appears to be even more serious than "turf toe." The team sources say the Cowboys wanted to get a look at Jones during practice on Wednesday, although it's safe to say the rookie from Arkansas is not 100 percent.

Jones has shown electrifying moments during the first part of the season, which included a 98-yard kickoff return against the Eagles, a 60-yard touchdown run at Green Bay, and his 8.9 yard-per-carry average.

But two elements of Jones' game that separates him from the rest of the pack are his speed and quickness. With a bad hamstring, Jones' speed has been limited and the current toe injury obviously affects his lateral movement and his ability to cut.

There is a fear at Valley Ranch that the latest setback, coupled with the initial hamstring injury, could spell the end of Jones' rookie season.

While Phillips was non-committal to when or if Jones would return, he said the club is weighing all options, including shelving the running back for at least these next two games, which will be just four days apart.

"All of those things are possibilities," Phillips said. "It depends on his injury and what we think we can do with it."

Jones' rookie season was coming along nicely until he initially suffered the partial tear in his hamstring during the second half against Arizona.

While he initially told reporters the following day that he would practice that Wednesday (Oct. 14), Jones ended up missing more than a month. So last week, when he said he was 100 percent and ready to play, it obviously conflicted with his overall status, considering the Cowboys kept him working with the training staff during practices.

Jones rushed for 266 yards on 30 carries during the first six games with three touchdowns, including an 11-yard score against Cleveland on his first NFL carry. He also leads Dallas with a 27.1 yard average on 16 kickoff returns. His touchdown against Philadelphia was the Cowboys' longest kickoff return since 2002. The Cowboys were hopeful that Jones would be able to return to at least handle kickoff returns, especially considering Miles Austin, who had replaced Jones, suffered a sprained knee and will likely miss the next 2-4 weeks. If neither will be ready, Phillips said Isaiah Stanback or Orlando Scandrick could handle the kickoffs.

As for the offense, Jones' absence has forced the Cowboys to put more of the load on the shoulders of Marion Barber. Last week in Washington, Barber had 24 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown, along with six catches for 39 yards. Barber closed out the game on the final drive, carrying the ball 10 times and catching another pass as the Cowboys chewed up more than six minutes of the fourth-quarter clock.

In Jones' absence, the Cowboys haven't used their other rookie tailback, Tashard Choice, in the same capacity. Choice has just 13 carries for 72 yards this season.

 

[Moe Green]

And MBIII owners rejoice.

 

[Phurfur]

I will believe this when he goes on IR.

 

[Wilbur Wood]

Hmmm. Arkansas RB's = Bad Toes

 

[Ridgelake]

I will believe this when he goes on IR.

Ditto.And the fact that he had at least limited participation. I would not be surprised to see him come back against Pittsburgh. We'll see.

 

[switz]

I will believe this when he goes on IR.

Ditto.And the fact that he had at least limited participation. I would not be surprised to see him come back against Pittsburgh. We'll see.

They're talking about him missing one more game, that's it...The fact that they won't say what the injury is, and that Phillips said he had no feel on whether Jones will/won't play makes me think they are stashing him for a reason non-injury related, and may jut be playing games so they can surprise an opponent with him.

 

[Aaronl5]

Yep Done for the Year.

 

[Texican]

OUT FOR YEAR

 

[Ookie Pringle]

I will believe this when he goes on IR.

 

[yellowdog]

Placed on IR. per Tim Ryan, sirius NFL Radio.

 

[tls01]

From CBS:

Rookie RB Felix Jones will be placed on injured reserve and will have surgery to repair a torn ligament underneath his left big toe. Jones, the No. 22 overall pick in the draft, provided a big-play complement to Marion Barber and showed flashes of brilliance in his six games. He had 266 yards on 30 carries (8.9 yards per carry) and scored four touchdowns, including a kickoff return. Jones suffered a partially torn hamstring on a 14-yard run in the loss to the Cardinals and hasn't played since. He suffered the toe injury while rehabbing his hamstring during the bye week.

(Updated 11/20/2008).

 

[Chunky Soup]

Good thing he has such a dreamy BMI compared to CJ.

 

[kinghill]

I could keep Felix next year as a 6th round pick.

Worth it? I wonder what his ADP will be like.

 

[switz]

From CBS:Rookie RB Felix Jones will be placed on injured reserve and will have surgery to repair a torn ligament underneath his left big toe. Jones, the No. 22 overall pick in the draft, provided a big-play complement to Marion Barber and showed flashes of brilliance in his six games. He had 266 yards on 30 carries (8.9 yards per carry) and scored four touchdowns, including a kickoff return. Jones suffered a partially torn hamstring on a 14-yard run in the loss to the Cardinals and hasn't played since. He suffered the toe injury while rehabbing his hamstring during the bye week.(Updated 11/20/2008).

Wow... how the hell do you tear a toe ligament while rehabbing a hamstring? What kind of PTs do the Cowboys hire?

 

[big_donkey]

I'm soooo sorry Switz. This news must be devistating. What will you do the rest of the year? goodbye. lol

 

[joffer]

The fact that they won't say what the injury is, and that Phillips said he had no feel on whether Jones will/won't play makes me think they are stashing him for a reason non-injury related, and may jut be playing games so they can surprise an opponent with him.

 

[Da Guru]

If Peyton Hills gets a toe injury there is something fishy going on.