CLEVELAND — On Wednesday, the Browns designated newly acquired linebacker Deion Jones to return from Injured Reserve, marking the first steps for the new Browns defender to get back on the field after being sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Jones, who the Falcons agreed to trade to the Browns on Sunday following their loss with the deal finalized on Monday, underwent surgery on his shoulder this past offseason and has been rehabbing since.
"It's been good. It's been a process getting healthy just like any injury. I feel good, I'm glad I went and got it done. Like I said, can't wait to get back to work," Jones said Wednesday in his first press conference as a Brown.
The linebacker was a 2017 Pro Bowler who hasn't played yet this year after being placed on IR before the season kicked off, but he's been working to be ready for his return—which will now be with a new team.
"Of course, everybody wants to play, but I was still preparing in case anything happened, I might get thrown out there, I might have to come to Cleveland. So just staying prepared, staying dangerous and we'll see where this takes us," Jones said.
The linebacker's arrival in Cleveland comes at a time when the defense could truly use his skillset and veteran leadership. The Browns have been struggling against the run and on Sunday against the Chargers, failed to execute the most fundamental part of the game missing numerous tackles.
Cleveland's struggles have been evident to Jones, who just watched them play his former team two weeks ago. The issues facing the Browns are things they've been working to clean up and that Jones believes they aren't too far from fixing.
"I think they are just one or two plays off from having a good game in the run game. I think they just got to gel it all together and it's going to all fall into place," Jones said. “It’s a tough team that plays hard. Like I said, just one or two plays away from a win sometimes and that’s just this league, you know? One or two plays away, a total of six points I think."
Jones' addition to the roster is a fresh start for the defense to get the most out of themselves. It could provide a boost to the talent in the room, but more importantly, it could add a veteran voice to the group and help them pull things together. His recognition alone might be able to bring that.
"His skill set is very unique. He's been doing it for a good amount of time, making a lot of plays. I think he's a guy everybody knows, even if you don't really watch Atlanta, you still know that guy just from him running around making plays," said safety John Johnson III. "Any time you get a guy like that on your defense, it can always help, just looking forward to it."
And for Jones, it's a fresh start to come off an injury and hopefully return to his high-caliber playing ways, which the Browns would be more than happy to see.
"So this is all new. Just embracing it, trying to introduce myself to everybody, get to know everybody's names. It's a bit of a maze around here trying to get my way around. So I'll figure that out too," Jones joked. "Everyone likes a fresh start, real clean slate, no expectations, just come in and learn and play stress-free.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that as for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Jones isn't ruled out at this point, but they will monitor him in practice and see if he can get acclimated to the defense and feel healthy enough by then to give it a go against a team he knows very well.
Roster Notes:
In addition to designating Jones from IR, the Browns also waived cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. and signed tight end Miller Forristall to the practice squad.
