Matt

Jones

Jones has been out of the league since 2018. He had a strong showing in the XFL and is attempting to make a comeback. With players still opting out, it’s possible Jones could find his way back on an NFL roster.

“It’s a two-headed monster in the backfield,” said McCloughan, a statement that runs a bit contrary to the largely-held perception that Matt Jones has workhorse potential. McCloughan sounded very excited about Marshall’s prospects this year. “He’s a one-cut guy and when he puts his foot in the ground, he can FLY,” said the second-year GM. “He’s 220 (pounds) and he can FLY. ... Keith’s done a really good job. A really good job.” Marshall should be owned in all Dynasty leagues and is someone worth monitoring closely in re-draft.

Jones has a “second degree” separation. It’s discouraging news, but ultimately not alarming. The Redskins have every reason to be cautious with their sophomore back, and even if he needs the reps, it’s not worth risking a setback. Jones is still the clear starter heading into Week 1. Coach Jay Gruden has said UDFA Rob Kelley will get “a lot” of first-team reps in Jones’ absence.

Jones’ and the Redskins’ running game tanked in the preseason opener, but that included seventh-rounder Keith Marshall and the other backs behind him. From a 3.4 YPC and fumbling issues, Jones’ rookie year was about as shaky as possible, but his role commands he be drafted as an RB2.

“I don’t think it’ll be a long injury,” were Gruden’s exact words, before adding the injury was a “slight separation of his AC joint.” Jones is certainly done for the preseason, but it sounds like he has a good chance to be ready for Week 1. Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley handled first-team work after Jones went down. Rookie Keith Marshall saw all of his carries in the second half.

Jones came down hard on his left shoulder at the end of a first quarter run. He held his left arm awkwardly at his side as he walked off the field and was quickly ushered into the locker room. He underwent X-rays in the locker room before leaving with his arm in a sling. Jones looked good before the injury, rushing seven times for 31 yards. Chris Thompson worked as the backup with Jones in the game, but Rob Kelley took over as the primary back after Jones exited.

This is perhaps the best possible outcome after Jones landed hard on his left shoulder at the end of a first quarter run. He returned to the sidelines with his arm in a sling in the second half. Jones is certainly done for the preseason, but it is possible he is back for Week 1. Chris Thompson should see more work if Jones is forced to miss any games with Rob Kelley or rookie Keith Marshall helping out on early downs.

After Jones fumbled five times in just 163 touches last year, the Redskins are pulling out all the stops to improve his ball security. “We’ve got all kinds of things that help him out,” coach Jay Gruden said, “mainly focus on the ball not just when he’s in contact or in the line of scrimmage, but outside of contact where he had a lot of trouble last year.” Jones is expected to carry the load for Washington, but he will have to protect the ball better to retain the workhorse role. Jones is shaping up as a risk/reward RB2.

Jones had some impressive flashes last season, but ball security and inconsistency plagued him as a rookie. Some of those inconsistencies could have resulted from the “hot-hand” approach the Redskins utilized last year. “I felt like if I had a bad game, the next game I wouldn’t get so many carries,” Jones said. “If I had a good game, I felt like I had to put so much pressure on myself to have a good game again. It was a lot of highs and lows.” Now healthy and comfortable as the clear No. 1, Jones should be in line for a more consistent and successful season. He is a solid RB2 with some upside.

Matt Jones got the start (as expected) and rushed two times for one yard. Rookie Keith Marshall was next man up, but fell flat on his face with a five-carry, negative-one yard rushing line. “We’ve got to fix it,” Gruden said. “We’ve got to get our line coming off better, we’ve got to give it off to the right people. There’s no excuse, we have to run the ball better.” Jones has a chance to carry a huge load this season, but he has to play better the next couple weeks.