Robert Jones’ Flagged Play May Have Been The Most Important of His Career

Every football fan recognizes the look of defeat. Players sitting on the bench, often with towels draped over their heads, looking dejected. The players most upset are the ones who made mistakes, whose play ended a beautiful drive, especially if it was caused by a “should’ve known better” penalty.

But after the San Francisco 49ers 19—13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, August 13, the mood was anything but solemn. Granted, it was a preseason game, so the stakes were low. But for some players, this was a dream come true, none so much as Robert Jones.

A Penalty Worth Celebrating

On the ninth snap of the game, Jones was flagged for holding All-Pro defensive tackle, Jeffrey Simmons, negating a 21-yard completion and stalling a promising drive. Jones undoubtedly would’ve preferred to make his mark on the game in a more positive way. But even a holding penalty couldn’t erase what the moment meant: He was playing football again. Because last year, there was a period of time when Jones thought he would never again play the game he loved.

“It feels really good to be back,” Jones told reporters after the game.

The Injury That Changed Everything

Jones signed with the 49ers in March after missing all of last season with a severe neck injury.

Jones spent four seasons playing with the Miami Dolphins before signing with the Dallas Cowboys. But during his first padded practice, Jones shattered the C-5 vertebra in his neck. He was placed on Injured Reserve and spent the next 5 months in a neck brace.

At first, Jones questioned not only whether or not he could return to football, but also if he wanted to. Was his NFL career over before he was 27 years old? After doctors informed him that he could resume playing, Jones decided that he wanted to keep playing. He worked hard to recover and return to the field.

Jones used a bone-simulation machine to promote healing, regularly two hours at a time in a hyperbaric chamber.

585 Days Later

Thursday marked Jones’ first game in 585 days. Jones admitted to being apprehensive about getting hit and hitting others. “I was a little cautious, but once I got going, I felt good,” Jones told The San Francisco Chronicle. “After I got that first hit in, it helped my confidence. I knew I was good. I was healthy and I was able to do this.”

But training camp is one thing. Facing an opponent in an actual game is a completely different beast. If Jones expected to ease into his return, he quickly learned otherwise when he lined up opposite four time Pro Bowl selection, and good friend, Jeffery Simmons. He would be battling one of the most accomplished defensive linemen in the league.

Jones is currently the leading candidate for the 49ers’ starting left guard position—And while Jones would undoubtedly be thrilled to win the starting job, whatever happens in the competition, he has already earned a victory. After a broken neck, five months in a neck brace, and countless hours of treatment, and a 585 day wait, Robert Jones was finally back where he belonged: on the football field playing the game that he loves.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

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