Green Bay Packers to Sign James Jones as Jordy Nelson Replacement?
James Jones is returning to his original team, the Green Bay Packers, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Twitter. The wide receiver's return is a welcome addition to Green Bay as Jordy Nelson is out for the entire season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his right knee.
Jordy Nelson injured his knee during their first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nelson landed awkwardly during the Packers' first possession of the game. The injury was confirmed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The typical recovery for a torn ACL is about 12 months.
Jones signed with New York Giants in August to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster, according to a report from NJ.com. "I'm just here to compete. You can't really get into who's going to make the team, who's fighting for spots. I've been in the league a little while, so I'm just here to compete, have fun and enjoy the time that I'm out there," Jones said after signing with Giants.
He caught 15 passes for 187 yards during the preseason with the Giants but did not make the roster due to the trio of young wide receivers of Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr., as per a separate report from NJ.com. The Giants also opted to keep Preston Parker and rookie Geremy Davis.
The 31-year-old wide receiver was released by the Oakland Raiders last May after a 73-catch, 666-yard season. He also had six touchdowns in 2014 for Oakland, but his best year came in 2012 when he was with the Packers. He led the league with 14 touchdowns and had 64 catches for 784 yards, according to Pro Football Reference.
Jones arrived at the Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay after his release from the Giants, and in an interview with The Packers News, he said that feels good coming back home. He said, "I flew all the way over here, so hopefully something gets done. I'm excited man, it feels good to get back and be back home."
He also spoke with the Green Bay Press Gazette about Jordy Nelson's injury and, as quoted by NBC Sports, he shares, "I didn't even think about the injury opening the door for a return, man. Me and Jordy are so close. The only thing I thought about was my man missing a whole season. I know how hard that dude works."
"I just called him. At first I texted him said, 'Please tell me it's not true.' I texted him right when I heard and after he told me it was true. No, man. I was trying to make that team. I really didn't think about coming back. I was just praying for that guy," Jones added.
James Jones was drafted by Green Bay in 2007 as a third-round pick. He helped the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010.
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