INDIANAPOLIS — When the Washington Redskins drafted Matt Jones in the third round last year, they did so with the vision that the former Florida standout would blossom as a lead running back.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds, Jones is a bruising, hard-hitting player whose toughness jives with general manager Scot McCloughan’s philosophy. However, the Redskins need to see more from Jones before he can make the leap, and McCloughan and coach Jay Gruden both feel he can make that transition in his second season.
In order for that to happen, Jones must improve his ball security and his durability, issues that dogged him in his rookie season. Jones fumbled five times, four of which were recovered by opponents. He also missed the final three games of the season because of a hip and abdominal injury that required surgery.
“He’s a big, powerful runner,” coach Jay Gruden said. “The big thing about Matt is, we’ve got to keep him healthy and work on ball security. Those are the two things in the offseason. I know [running backs coach] Randy Jordan will harp on that, and getting his pad level down a little bit, but health, ball security, those are the two biggest things.”
Gruden also said that Jones underwent a minor surgery after the season ended in his hip and groin area.
The Redskins have questions at running back, most notably with Alfred Morris, who is set to become a free agent on March 9. Morris, who ran for 3,962 yards in his first three seasons, rushed for 751 yards last season on a career-low 202 carries. Running back Chris Thompson, an exclusive rights free agent, was the Redskins’ best receiving option out of the backfield and had surgery in the offseason to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Veteran Pierre Thomas was signed in December, but is also set to become a free agent.
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It is expected that Morris will enter the free agent market, but Gruden said a return is not yet entirely ruled out.
“I’m not going to say he’s a long shot [to return],” Gruden said. “There’s not one negative thing I can say about Alfred Morris as a person and as a player. When you talk about running backs, the most important things you talk about are ball security and durability. He’s been durable and he’s protected the football. He’s been very productive. And, those are three things that are hard to say about any running back for the amount of time he’s played the position.
“We wish him well if we don’t get him done, but if we do get him done, we’ll welcome him back with open arms.”
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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