| New York, but for now, he's not in the team's immediate plans. (US Presswire) |
Chad Jones was a third-round pick out of LSU for the Giants in the 2010 NFL draft. Unfortunately for him and his employer, he was in a bad car accident two months later in New Orleans that could have cost Jones his life and nearly cost him his foot.
Ever since then, he’s been rehabbing and working hard to resume the pro football career he never got a chance to start.
"I've been feeling it since day one when I woke up from the wreck, telling my doctors and my family that I was going to play football again," Jones said last month after working out with the Giants. "That long-term goal, which is to put that jersey on and run out on that field and play my first down as a professional football player. This is a new beginning and I'm looking forward to upcoming challenges."
Now, he’ll have even more challenges to face since he’s out of a job.
After Jones failed a physical, the Giants announced Monday they’d released him, though it also sounds like they’re not completely sure they want to send him away for good. But for now, with Jones unable to participate in football drills, New York is making room on its roster.
“We consider Chad to be part of the Giants family, and we'll continue to work with him in his rehab,” general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. “As we've said since his accident, we're thankful he is alive and able to lead a normal life.”
After his early-morning car accident in June 2010, where it took the New Orleans Fire Department more than 20 minutes to cut him loose from the vehicle, Jones was in surgery for nearly eight hours, because doctors had a tough time getting the blood flow to return to his left ankle and foot.
He has spent the past two years on the reserve/non-football injury list, but he’s still not ready to be cleared by team doctors.
“Chad had a severe injury to his left leg, involving a complex tibial fracture with associated injury to muscle, nerves, and vascular structures,” said Dr. Scott Rodeo, a Giants associate team physician, said in the statement. “This type of injury is often limb threatening, and can sometimes require amputation. He has made a remarkable recovery to date, with successful salvage of the leg. However, at this time he has residual sensory loss, muscle weakness, and tenuous soft tissue coverage in the involved lower leg. The resultant functional impairment precludes his ability to perform physically at the level required for professional football.”
"We would like to thank the Giants organization for the manner in which they have supported Chad since his unfortunate accident two years ago," said Jones' agent Rocky Arceneaux. "Their genuine support and caring has far exceeded their obligations, and he and his family will be eternally grateful. Chad is experiencing a minor setback and we expect a full recovery within a few months. He thanks everyone for their continued support and prayers. He will see his teammates on the field soon."
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