Bears coach says what fans been waiting to hear for a long time
Drafted in the third-round of this year’s draft, rookie WR Velus Jones Jr. hasn’t started the season the way he, or the team, had envisioned. There is, however, some optimism that Jones can return to the player the team fell in love with throughout the draft process. Jones was sidelined for the first three games […]
Drafted in the third-round of this year’s draft, rookie WR Velus Jones Jr. hasn’t started the season the way he, or the team, had envisioned. There is, however, some optimism that Jones can return to the player the team fell in love with throughout the draft process.
Jones was sidelined for the first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury. For a player as explosive as Jones, who is reliant on his speed, hamstring issues can be quite restrictive.
His return to action in the team’s Week 4 loss to the New York Giants was not as graceful as many had hoped. Jones muffed a crucial punt in the fourth quarter and failed to log a single snap on offense.
Sure, Jones was making his debut while coming off of an injury, but the decision to leave such a skilled athlete on the bench when the passing game couldn’t get off the ground was a head-scratcher.
The good news is that Bears wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert believes that the dynamic rookie will see some playing time out wide in Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
“I feel like he has all his speed back,” Tolbert said of Jones. “He’s not hesitant anymore because of his hamstring. He can definitely help us in some spots on offense.”
One player can’t erase all of the issues that are plaguing QB Justin Fields and Chicago's anemic passing attack. With that being said, Jones’ game-breaking speed gives Fields a vertical threat who forces opposing secondaries to stay on their toes.
Featured image via Jon Durr – USA TODAY Sports
