Lions take RB Jones off PUP list in hopes of early return this season
By Len Pasquarelli In attempting to boost an anemic running game that statistically rated as the NFL's worst in 2006, and which hasn't ranked among the top 10 in the league since 1998, the Detroit Lions are counting on tailback Kevin Jones to put his worst foot forward.
The Lions on Saturday removed Jones from the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list, where he spent all of training camp and the preseason, and included him on the regular-season 53-man roster. It had been widely reported, including by ESPN.com, that Jones likely would begin the season on the reserve PUP list, which by definition would have precluded the three-year veteran from practicing or playing for at least the first six weeks of the year.
But team officials are gambling that Jones, who is rehabilitating from December surgery to repair a Lisfranc sprain to his left foot, can return to the field earlier in the year. The recent history of Lisfranc injuries, a tear of the connective tissues in the mid-foot area, indicate that they typically require a year of recovery.
Jones, who has done only individual drills during training camp, will be in pads Monday and hopes to participate in team-related segments at practice. Detroit officials will monitor him on a daily basis and feel that having Jones back at practice will allow him to regain football-type conditioning and perhaps accelerate his progress.
The decision on Jones' status for the outset of the season came after club officials convened a Friday conference call with Dr. Bob Anderson of Charlotte, the specialist who performed the foot surgery on Dec. 13. Anderson examined Jones on Thursday. The Lions' brass also included owner William Clay Ford in the decision.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3001950
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