Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones missed just over half of the 2014 season because of a wrist injury and according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the Georgia product and former first round draft pick is still dealing with the aftereffects.
“After being in a cast and all the scar tissue, that’s what I’m still working on,” Jones said. “Not so much rehabbing but taking care and nurturing it and trying to get my mobility in it. They say I won’t get it all back but I’m trying to make the most of it.”
While the wrist injury suffered last year during the Steelers third game against the Carolina Panthers might still bother Jones at times, he is practicing and participating in preseason games after being slowed at the start of training camp with an injured bicep. He played 19 snaps last Friday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars and should play at least that amount snaps Sunday afternoon in the Steelers third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Jones is still attempting to develop his game and the Steelers certainly need him to pick up this year where he left off last year before injuring his wrist.
“Just trying to play my technique, be sound with my technique and keep working hard, not doing anything outside of the system and along the way making plays with it,” Jones said. “Here it’s all about the individual doing the right thing, so the defense can work.”
While Jones might eventually wind up being the starter again this year on the right side, he’s sure to give up some snaps in 2015 to veteran outside linebacker James Harrison, who was re-signed to a two-year contract during the offseason.
This is a big year upcoming for Jones as the Steelers will need to decide whether or not to pick up his fifth year option next offseason. Jones has registered just three sacks in the first 21 regular season games that he’s played in after registering 28 in his final two seasons at Georgia.
