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Arthur Jones

This Date In Transactions History: Baltimore Ravens

June 21st, 2018 at 7:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The 2010 draft didn’t necessarily go as planned for the Ravens. They sent their first-rounder to the Broncos (Denver selected Tim Tebow), and their pair of second-rounders failed to live up to their billing. Linebacker Sergio Kindle played in only three career games, while defensive tackle Terrence Cody mostly played in a reserve role.

The team did manage to snag tight end Ed Dickson in the third round, but nobody would deem the first half of Baltimore’s draft a success. However, the team did manage to draft a pair of contributors in the later rounds: tight end Dennis Pitta and defensive end Arthur Jones. Both of those players inked their rookie contracts on this date eight years ago.

The Ravens used their fourth-round pick (#114) on Pitta, a tight end out of Brigham Young. He ended up playing his entire seven-year career in Baltimore, winning a championship along the way. His best season came in 2012, when he hauled in 61 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns, and his 2,098 career receiving yards rank 12th in franchise history. Unfortunately, Pitta suffered a number of injuries throughout his career, forcing him to miss 46 regular season games. After suffering a hip injury during last year’s OTAs, the Ravens ended up cutting the veteran, effectively ending his career.

Jones, who was selected with the team’s second fifth-rounder, mostly served in a reserve role for the Ravens during the first three years of his career, including their Super Bowl run in 2012 (the defensive end finished with a key sack and fumble recovery in the victory). He took on a bigger role in 2013, finishing with 53 tackles and four sacks. He ended up inking a lucrative five-year deal with the Colts worth more than $30MM, but he never managed to stay healthy during his tenure in Indy. The 32-year-old played in a single game for the Redskins this past season.

While no one would ever declare the Ravens 2010 draft as a “win” (the team also drafted wideout David Reed and offensive tackle Ramon Harewood), their pair of later-round picks ended up having solid NFL careers.

Redskins Place Arthur Jones On IR

November 11th, 2017 at 10:05am CST by Ben Levine

After joining the Redskins several weeks ago, Arthur Jones‘ season is over. According to ESPN.com’s John Keim (via Twitter), the team has placed the veteran defensive lineman on the injured reserve. The team has also promoted wideout Maurice Harris and defensive lineman Brandon Banks to the active roster.

Arthur Jones (vertical)Jones, 31, was released by the Colts earlier this year following several uninspiring seasons with the organization. Between 2014 and 2016, the former fifth-rounder ultimately saw the field for only 17 games (11 starts) with Indy, compiling 53 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Jones has previously battled nagging injuries (he underwent hernia surgery earlier this year), and he’s also been suspended for PED use. Pro Football Focus ultimately rated him as a bottom-10 interior defender in 2016, a far cry from his 4.5 sack campaign with the Ravens in 2012. After joining the Redskins in late October, Jones went on to make a single appearance with the team.

Banks, 23, will presumably inherit Jones’ spot on the depth chart behind Ziggy Hood and Terrell McClain. The 23-year-old joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Charlotte earlier this year. Harris, a 2016 undrafted free agent, has spent the past two seasons with the Redskins. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie, hauling in eight receptions for 66 yards. He also contributed on special teams, returning three kicks for 47 yards.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Gathers, Redskins

November 8th, 2017 at 1:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the NFC East:

  • Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers still has yet to return to practice and may not return from IR as initially planned, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News writes. Gathers is still recovering from a head injury and concussion he suffered in mid-August following a helmet-to-helmet collision. Unfortunately, he has still not been cleared to practice and that’s not a good sign for his chances to play this year. In the preseason, Gathers turned some heads by catching seven passes for 106 yards and two scores.
  • Former Chiefs and Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson will work out for the Redskins on Wednesday afternoon, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Redskins have been looking into front four depth as of late – they also tried out Jaye Howard and Cam Thomas in late October.
  • If signed, Jackson could help to fill in for Redskins defensive lineman Arthur Jones after he dislocated his shoulder. He “could miss time,” coach Jay Gruden says (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s John Keim). Wide receiver Brian Quick, meanwhile, is in the concussion protocol.

Redskins To Sign DL Arthur Jones

October 31st, 2017 at 6:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins have agreed to sign free agent defensive lineman Arthur Jones, as the veteran himself indicated on Twitter. John Keim of ESPN.com confirms the pending transaction, noting Washington will make the move official once it decides whom to release in order to create a roster spot.Arthur Jones (vertical)

Jones hasn’t drawn a lick of interest since being released by the Colts earlier this year, and while that could be health-related (Jones underwent hernia surgery in June), Jones’ play in 2016 didn’t do him any favors. After agreeing to a pay cut and serving a four-game PED ban, Jones appeared in eight games for Indianapolis and graded as a bottom-10 interior defender, per Pro Football Focus.

That’s not to say the Redskins can’t use the 31-year-old Jones, especially against the run (Washington ranks 27th in adjusted line yards). First-round rookie Jonathan Allen is now on injured reserve, and while he could return later this year, he’s out for at least another six weeks. Jones will play alongside Stacy McGee, Terrell McClain, Ziggy Hood, Matt Ioannidis, and Anthony Lanier in the Redskins’ 3-4 front.

Free Agent Arthur Jones Has Hernia Surgery

July 24th, 2017 at 10:33am CST by Zachary Links

Former Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones had sports hernia surgery three weeks ago, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’ll need time to recover, so it is expected that he won’t be signing with a club until after Week 1, Rapoport adds. Arthur Jones (vertical)

Jones has been on the market ever since the Colts cut him loose in March. The veteran came to Indianapolis on a five-year, $33MM deal prior to the 2014 season, but the deal wound up being a bust. In three years with the Colts, Jones played in just 17 combined regular season games, including a completely lost 2015 season. Between the so-so production, injuries, and a 2016 PED suspension, the Colts felt they had no choice but to cut their losses.

In eight games last year, Jones tallied 30 total tackles. When he was placed on IR in December, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the No. 120 defensive tackle out of 126 qualified players.

After healing up, Jones is hoping to show teams that he can be more like the old version of himself. He is now far removed 2013 when he tallied 4.0 sacks and 53 total tackles while starting at defensive tackle for the Ravens.

Colts Cut DL Arthur Jones

March 24th, 2017 at 10:36am CST by Zachary Links

The Colts announced that they have released defensive lineman Arthur Jones. The move will save the team $5.15MM in cap space. Arthur Jones (vertical)

[RELATED: Details On Kamar Aiken’s Contract]

Jones joined the Colts on a five-year, $33MM deal prior to the 2014 season. He never came close to living up to that contract. In the past three years, he has played in just 17 combined regular season games, including a completely lost 2015 season. This time last year, Jones took a pay cut in order to stay with the team. This time around, he’s being dropped altogether. Injuries and underwhelming production played a major role in his release, but Jones’ PED suspension in 2016 probably didn’t help his cause either.

In the short amount of time he spent on the field in 2016, Jones didn’t really deliver. In eight games, Jones tallied 30 total tackles. When his season ended on IR in December, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the No. 120 defensive tackle out of 126 qualified players.

Colts Place Arthur Jones On IR

December 19th, 2016 at 11:08am CST by Zachary Links

Arthur Jones‘ season is over. The Colts announced that the defensive tackle has been placed on injured reserve. To take his spot, defensive end Kristjan Sokoli has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Arthur Jones (vertical)

This has been a strange year for Jones, to say the least. In March, Jones was on the Colts’ chopping block given his disappointing 2014 season and lost 2015 campaign. To keep his place on the team, he agreed to a significant pay cut. Then, Jones was banned for the first four games of the season after being hit with a suspension for PEDs.

Upon returning this year, Jones didn’t really deliver. In eight games, Jones tallied 30 total tackles. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus have him ranked as the No. 120 interior defender out of 126 qualified players. In short, Jones has regressed to the point where he is well below replacement level. It’s a good bet that the Colts will explore releasing him this spring.

Colts Activate Arthur Jones

October 8th, 2016 at 12:08pm CST by Ben Levine

In a bit of a surprising move, the Colts have activated defensive end Arthur Jones from the Exempt/Commissioner Permission list, reports Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). It was expected that coach Chuck Pagano would wait at least another week to add the veteran to the active roster. Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star wrote earlier this week that Jones wasn’t expected to play this weekend.

“We’ll make the smartest decision that’s best for this team and what’s best for Art,” Pagano said at the time. “I just don’t want to throw him out there without some time to task.”

Arthur Jones (vertical)The 30-year-old was suspended for the first four games of the season after violating the league’s PED policy. This was just the latest setback for Jones, who originally joined the Colts on a five-year, $33MM deal in 2014. Following four productive seasons with the Ravens, the veteran’s first season in Indy was a disappointment. The defense end finished the 2014 season with only 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in nine games (three starts). Jones ended up tearing ligaments in his ankle prior to the 2015 season, sitting him out for the entire campaign. The franchise ultimately reworked the defensive end’s contract, reducing his 2016 salary from $4.5MM to $2.5MM.

As Keefer detailed, this may be the final opportunity for Jones to prove that he belongs in the organization… and perhaps even the NFL.

“I just have to do my job,” Jones said. “And by that (I mean) staying on the field. You get hurt. When you play football long enough, things will happen. I never thought it was because of my ability. It just wasn’t my time, I guess. Everything happens for a reason.”

Jones currently doesn’t project to be any more than the Colts’ second-string defensive end. As Roster Resource details, the veteran will presumably compete with rookie Hassan Ridgeway for the opportunity to back up starters Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson.

14 Players Returning From Suspension

October 3rd, 2016 at 7:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Fourteen players will return from four-game suspensions this week, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The most high-profile returnee, of course, is quarterback Tom Brady, who will re-join the 3-1 Patriots on Sunday against the Browns.

The following players have completed their suspensions:

The club that employs each player will receive a short roster exemption that ends the day following the team’s Week 5 game. that means the 49ers’ exemption for Lynch ends Friday, the Panthers’ exemption for Scott ends next Tuesday, and the rest end next Monday.

Sterup, meanwhile, was on the Chiefs’ practice squad when he was banned, but he hasn’t completed the PED reinstatement requirements, according to Balzer. So although he can sign with a new club, Sterup can’t practice or play until he’s approved by the league.

Colts’ Arthur Jones Suspended Four Games

July 22nd, 2016 at 3:21pm CST by Zachary Links

After news of a pending four-game suspension for Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell broke this morning, another prominent NFL player is facing a ban for the first month of NFL action. The NFL announced that Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones has been tagged with a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. Arthur Jones (vertical)

The PED suspension just marks the latest setback for Jones, who has struggled with injuries in his time with the Colts. He was a disappointment in 2014 – his first season with the team – after signing a five-year, $33MM deal, totaling 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks in just nine games (three starts). Then, as he was gearing up for what he hoped would be a bounce-back campaign, Jones tore ligaments in his ankle. In September, Jones went under the knife, ending his 2015 season before it could even begin. In March, the Colts and Jones worked out a new deal paying him $2.5MM rather than the $4.5MM he was originally slated to make.

In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures.

It has been a rough year for the Jones family. Just a few weeks ago, Arthur’s younger brother Jon Jones tested positive for steroids and was removed from UFC 200. Jones, who is the UFC’s interim light heavyweight champion, could be facing a two year ban from competition.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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