Having recently been issued a 4-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Art Jones issued an apology to the Colts organization, his teammates, and fans on Tuesday upon his arrival at the team’s training camp:
Art Jones apologizes to his teammates and #Colts fans: https://t.co/C09k11PYEO
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 26, 2016
Despite the latest obvious setback, Jones said that he’s “still on a mission and looking to dominate at a high level” once he returns.
Specifically, Jones said he failed to double check his offseason training supplements and that at least one of the contained ingredients was indeed banned by the NFL:
Art Jones:"I did a piss poor job of double checking my supplements to make sure nothing was banned." No more details beyond that.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) July 26, 2016
While it’s hard to speculate without all of the facts, either Jones or his representation was lazy in performing their due diligence, as all banned substances are listed by the NFLPA and can even be double-checked with the NFL; or Jones was engaged in foul play and looking to gain a competitive advantage–perhaps to more rapidly heal his injured ankle.
Either way though, the Colts will be without the veteran defensive lineman for the first 4 games of this year’s regular season, although Jones is eligible to participate in the team’s training camp and preseason games.
However, per the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, Jones did not confirm whether his injured ankle–one that cost him all of last season, has fully healed and if he’s actually been cleared by the team’s doctors to actively participate in training camp yet.
Jones is likely on thin ice with the Colts organization at this point, having only played in 9 games over the past two seasons and adding insult to his latest injury.
While it doesn’t make much cap sense to cut Jones–as the team would only save $1.5M this season, his Colts future is definitely clouded after this upcoming season as the team could save $5.15M by releasing him next offseason.
Nevertheless, the Colts will likely be compelled to roll with Jones in the short-term, which means the team will want to see progress on his injured ankle in training camp.
If nothing else, the listed 6’3″, 320 pound defensive lineman could prove to be an effective situational run-stuffer if healthy and provide some much needed veteran depth in the trenches upon his return from suspension.