Chandler Jones will not need surgery
New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones is one of the most important players on the team, as he is easily their most talented pass rusher and is currently their only consistent source of pressure. Without him, the Patriots will have major issues disrupting quarterbacks over the next several weeks, as a lack of a consistent pass rush has already been a problem for them over the past couple of years, largely due to a lack of depth up front. Jones is nursing a significant hip injury, and his initial timetable was set at four weeks before reportedly being extended to at least six weeks, with the Patriots fearing a possible season-ending injury at worst.
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Per sources close to CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora, Jones will not need surgery on his hip, and La Canfora reports that the young defensive end will miss at least four weeks with the injury. He also reports that Jones does not have a torn labrum, and the Patriots are actually “very optimistic” that Jones will be able to get back on the field and play at a high level during the playoffs, which is obviously when things really count for the Pats. It doesn’t sound the like the Patriots are overly concerned with Jones missing the rest of the season, and I wonder if this is due to new information (perhaps the realization that he doesn’t have a torn labrum).
It’s great to hear that Jones is expected to play at some point this season, and we’ll see if he’s able to make the lower-end of that rather broad timetable. He has 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble so far this season.