Teams reconsider whether Jones is a safe pick.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, there is growing concern from NFL teams over whether or not to pick Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones.
Jones didn’t participate in any workouts at the Combine on Saturday, instead being assessed by team medical staffs, with reports suggesting that concerns over Jones’ neck history are likely to play a part in decisions over whether he is a safe first-round draft pick.
“Most of the doctors checked me out, and they feel like that I’m fine. I don’t have no contusion or anything like that in [my spine]. I only had one accident of having a stinger at USC [in] 2009, my freshman year. Never had any symptoms after that,” he told NFL.com.
Jones suffered a neck injury in that ‘accident’ at USC in 2009, and was sidelined for the entire 2010 season. He was later diagnosed with spinal stenosis, with USC doctors recommending for him to retire from football.
However, Jones transferred to Georgia, where he was medically cleared, before going on to claim Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2012.
“Not at all,” Jones said when asked if he has any reservations about playing the game. “Anybody who steps on that field has a chance of getting hurt. If you think like about it like that, nobody would ever play football,” he added.
Despite his opinion, the team medical reports and physicals will play a key role in whether he is picked. Provided there is no reason for teams to doubt his health, Jones will likely be a top prospect.
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