Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Howard Jones will certainly need a solid training camp and preseason if he’s going to make the team’s 53-man roster this year. Included in that, the undrafted free agent out of Shepherd will likely need to make more plays like he did last preseason.
One of those plays that Jones made nearly one full year ago, a 28-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the New York Giants, is currently Jones’ proudest football moment/memory.
The play against the Giants was a heady one on the part of Jones. After Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib threw a backward pass that was tipped by Steelers linebacker Vic So’oto, Jones smartly picked the ball up and returned for a touchdown. The play was ultimately reviewed, but the replay official did not overturn it.
The very next week in the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Jones almost scored again after picking up a fumble caused by So’oto during a sack. Jones’ other fumble recovery came against the Giants when he corralled a muffed punt in the third quarter.
The Steelers drafted two outside linebackers this year in Bud Dupree and Anthony Chickillo and with the former being a lock to make the 53 man roster, Jones will likely have the beat out the latter in addition to CFL standout Shawn Lemon in order to stick this year.
Jones spent his entire rookie season on the Steelers practice squad.
