The Eagles believed enough in Sidney Jones to invest their second-round pick in the injured cornerback, and the team is beginning its dealings with the first-round talent with a gesture of goodwill.
Philadelphia brass inserted language in Jones’ contract that will pay him his full 2017 base salary even if he spends the season on the NFI list, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jones signed his four-year, $6.14MM contract on Thursday, joining six other Eagles in agreeing to rookie pacts.
The former Washington Huskies standout fell to the Eagles at No. 43 after tearing his Achilles during the final rep of his pro day. Jones underwent surgery in March and tweeted shortly after he will be available for at least part of his rookie season. Rapoport put Jones’ timetable in line with a return any time from September to November.
Michael Crabtree tore his Achilles in May of 2013 and returned for the 49ers’ final five regular-season games. Terrell Suggs tore his in May of 2012 and came back for the final eight Ravens regular-season contests during their Super Bowl campaign, so it’s well within reason Jones could come back and make an impact as a rookie.
But Philadelphia will be compensating him regardless as he continues to rehab from an injury he suffered before becoming an Eagle.
Well the Eagles just set a precedent that every injured player coming into the NFL will now be asking for.
Which can only be sign as a positive thing. I don’t see schools picking up the check for running their players into the ground.
It’s nothing new, players pull their full salary on IR and it’s not like they’re going to cut him.