In a surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals have decided to waive running back Tony Jones. This decision comes just a day after they designated star player James Conner for a return from injured reserve, indicating a significant shift in their roster strategy.
Jones, who recently made his debut as a Cardinal, had a rather unremarkable performance in their 27-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns on November 5. During the game, Jones managed to gain only 2 yards on 3 carries and added 2 receptions for 5 yards. It was a lackluster outing for the running back, to say the least.
The timing of this decision is noteworthy, as it coincides with the announcement that James Conner is set to return to practice. There is now a possibility that Conner could make his comeback against the Atlanta Falcons on November 12, further complicating the running back situation for the Cardinals.
This isn’t the first time Arizona has made this move with Tony Jones. On October 19, the Cardinals made him available for other teams to claim off waivers. Surprisingly, no team opted to pick up Jones, and he subsequently re-signed with the Cardinals, joining their practice squad.
With Conner’s return looming and rookie Emari Demercado sidelined with a toe injury, it’s likely that Jones may find himself back on the practice squad once again. However, the decision to place him on waivers may still generate interest from other NFL teams, as his future in Glendale remains uncertain.
The Arizona Cardinals have made a significant roster move by waiving running back Tony Jones. With James Conner’s return on the horizon, the team appears to be reshuffling their backfield options. Jones, who had a lackluster debut, faces an uncertain future, but his availability on waivers may pique the interest of other teams in need of a running back.