Report: Jets RB Jones suffers lower leg injury

Aug 14, 2007 - 3:46 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) - New York Jets running back Thomas Jones suffered a lower leg injury during practice on Sunday, according to a newspaper.

According to Newsday, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Jones was injured when, while planting himself to block linebacker Brad Kassel, his right leg failed him and he crumpled to the ground.

Jones immediately grabbed for the back of his leg and removed his sock and shoe, leading to speculation that the injury was a high ankle sprain, according to the newspaper.

He walked off the field with a noticeable limp and spent the rest of that practice exercising with the other injured players. The newspaper reported that Jones only was limping slightly on Monday.

Coach Eric Mangini, following team policy on not speaking on injuries, only mentioned it was a "lower leg" issue.

"I can tell you that he is working extremely hard, and he'll be back as quickly as he can," Mangini said. "Thomas has a pretty strong track record."

The Jets policy also prevents players who don't practice from speaking with the media, so Jones was not made available to the press Sunday or Monday.

Jones was acquired from the Chicago Bears in the offseason and signed a four-year, $20 million deal to bolster the Jets' running game.