Pro-Bowl cornerback Byron Jones got a boost to his prospects of playing the Dallas Cowboys' regular-season opener against the New York Giants on September 8th. The team announced he has been removed from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list as of Monday.
Jones underwent hip surgery in March and has spent much of his offseason rehabbing the repair. Before training camp, he eyed the start of practice as his target date for return, saying, via the Cowboys' website:
“Overall, rehab is going well. Working on it every day. I’m starting to do lower-body lifts,” Jones said. “The frustrating part is I want to go, and I feel I can run. But I have to listen to the [athletic trainers], and so I’m taking my time, being patient and just doing what they’re telling me to do.”
I want to be back at training camp. I want to be back with my teammates and play in the preseason games. That’s the target.”
Though he didn't return by his training camp opener date, Jones hasn't suffered any reported setbacks from the surgery. He has yet to miss a game during his four-year career.
Jones is going into a contract year. He'll need to live up to expectations set from an outstanding 2018 campaign—after converting from safety to outside cornerback—in which he made the Pro Bowl.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones recorded allowed a 53.2% catch rate, 16.5 cover snaps per target, 83.3 coverage grade, and 85.5 passer rating allowed in 2018. He did so despite the season being his first as a full-time cornerback. 2019 will be his time to cement himself as part of the NFL's elite.
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