Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. (6) goes airborne after being hit by Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium October 22, 2016 in Seattle., Washington. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI |
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SEATTLE - University of Washington cornerback Sidney Jones, a projected first-round pick and the No. 22 overall rated player on NFLDraftScout.com's board suffered a lower left leg injury during his Pro Day workout Saturday and had to be carted out of the Huskies' Dempsey Center.
The 6-foot, 187-pound cornerback was finishing up his positional workout, alternating with fellow high-ranking NFL prospects Budda Baker and Kevin King, when he tumbled to the turf. Sitting up, Jones immediately lifted his left leg into the air, with Baker and Washington head coach Chris Petersen hurrying toward him.
Jones was helped to his feet and leaned upon his coach to shuffle off the field toward a trainer's cart, drawing a hush from the crowd of media, family members and an estimated 50 NFL talent evaluators as he was driven out of the facility.
The hope, of course, was that Jones simply twisted his ankle. The speculation of several onlookers with a closer view of Jones' injury, however, was that it looked like a possible Achilles tendon injury, which, if true, could require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.
One NFL scout, speaking to NFLDraftScout.com on the condition of anonymity, said. "In 18 years of attending Pro Days, I've never seen a serious injury sustained during a one of these workouts. I hope it isn't as bad as [an Achilles tendon tear], but that is what it looked like."
Jones, who did not surrender a single touchdown reception in 2016, had been enjoying a solid positional workout prior to the injury and lifted the bar 12 times during the bench press after not competing in this event at the Combine, where he was clocked at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
He certainly had been popular with NFL teams, spending time with the New England Patriots Saturday morning prior to the workout and dining with the Detroit Lions Friday night.
He had visits and/or private workouts already scheduled with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, according to a source close to him.
Jones had eight interceptions in three seasons with Washington, including a career-high four in 2015.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed in partnership with The Sports Xchange and CBSSports.com.
