Braylon Edwards suffered his ACL tear in December 2005. Edwards surprised just about everyone by being ready for the season opener in 2006, but couldn’t escape the old chestnut about two years being the usual recuperation time from this type of knee injury.
Like clockwork, Edwards exploded in 2007 with a breakout season that showed what the receiver could do when completely healthy. Despite getting back in the game quickly, it took Edwards nearly two years to really get back to 100 percent.
Lions RB Kevin Jones is trying to prove to NFL teams that he’s back in just six months and the Browns wanted to look at the video of a recent workout to see for themselves.
If healthy, Jones could be the type of runner the Browns might grab should something happen to Jamal Lewis. After a 1,133-yard rookie season, it’s been all downhill for Jones, who has had to deal with declining opportunities and a series of injuries. Prior to tearing up his leg last year, Jones had missed the end of 2006 and the start of 2007 with a foot injury.
Despite the fewest attempts of his career (153), Jones scored eight touchdowns, a career high, and remained effective catching passes out of the backfield (32 receptions, 197 yards). That was only half of his previous year’s total of 61 catches in 2006.
His contract ($2.37 million salary in 2008), injury history, and declining production led the Lions to release him in March.
A number of teams have expressed some interest in Jones in recent weeks. The Patriots are among them, and Jones has visited the Titans. Jones has himself talked about a desire to head to Chicago to play for the Bears. Even the Lions are pondering re-signing him, albeit at a reduced salary.
If Jones is ready to play during pre-season, it would be quite a story. Not expected to be ready this season, Jones revitalized his knee using a combination of low-tech lifting, acupuncture and holistic medicine practiced by his agent, Dr. D.S. Ping. If Jones is really back, he could get some contract offers.
The Browns, meanwhile, are studying up on Jones by looking at the video from his recent workout. The team’s depth chart at running back seems fairly solid and the team is likely not desperate enough to enter into a bidding war for Jones, if one ensues. If the back remains on the market, the team may simply want to be well-informed in case they need to bring him in as an injury replacement*.
As to whether Jones is really back, take a look for yourself. Here is video of a workout from last week.
* Knock on wood. Throw salt over your shoulder. Sacrifice a goat, whatever.