Injury ends Jones’ season
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| Bears running back Kevin Jones (center) leaves during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on Thursday. Jones left with a left ankle injury. (AP photo) |
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Bears running back Kevin Jones will miss the season because of a torn ligament in his left ankle, the team confirmed Friday.
Jones, 27, received an MRI exam on his ankle Friday to learn the extent of his injury. He was expected to play a larger role in the Bears’ running game this season as Matt Forte’s primary backup, but that role now will fall to Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson.
Jones injured himself on a running play Thursday against the Cleveland Browns when he leaped to evade a tackle and landed awkwardly on his ankle. He remained on the ground for several minutes before he was carted off of the Bears’ sideline.
Wolfe and Peterson played the rest of the game at running back. Jones’ injury likely guarantees roster spots for both players, whom many presumed to make the team anyway.
Jones rushed for 109 yards on 34 carries last season during occasional breaks for Forte. In four seasons with the Detroit Lions and one season with the Bears, Jones has rushed for 3,176 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The Bears beat the Browns, 26-23, Thursday at Soldier Field.
