Jones Looks to Rebound in 2010
By playerpress.com wire service
January 14, 2010
The Bears signed Kevin Jones to add depth to their backfield in March 2009.
Six months later he was on the shelf, without playing a down in the regular season.
Jones, a former 1,000-yard rusher, suffered a severe ankle injury during a preseason game against the Browns when he was hit out of bounds. With torn ligaments in his left ankle, he was placed on injured reserve and watched the entire season from the sidelines.
Jones, who was signed to a two-year contract, hopes to make a contribution in 2010 and says he will be ready.
“My ankle is feeling a lot better and I just started running a couple of weeks ago and it is right on pace with being ready for all of the Bears’ mini-camps and training camps for the 2010 season,” he said. “I definitely think that if I could have been there, I could have helped the team’s running game and helped to make a difference in the season.”
Jones was drafted in the first round (30th overall) out of Virginia Tech by the Detroit Lions in 2004 and immediately had his best season. He rushed for 1,133 yards and five touchdowns, becoming only the third running back in Lions history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season, joining Lions greats Billy Sims and Barry Sanders.
In 2006, after splitting carries with Tatum Bell, Kevin became the starter in Week 7. The following week, Jones rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown in a victory over the Bears.
But due to injuries, the Lions released him in March of 2008.
At Virginia Tech, Jones rushed for 3,475 yards and 35 touchdowns on 616 carries (5.6 yards per car. avg.).
