Two months after the biggest day of Chad Jones' life, his life was nearly over.
On June 25, 2010, Jones was involved in an ugly one-car accident in his native New Orleans. He had just been a third-round draft pick of the New York Giants, but he suffered serious injuries in the wreck, including a mangled leg that put his career in serious jeopardy.
Jones continues the recovery process to this day, and recently had his 14th surgery stemming from the accident. The safety is scheduled to participate in the Giants' offseason program for the first time next week, albeit on a limited basis.
"I'm definitely going up there to show what I can do," Jones said, according to Newsday. "I'm looking forward to being able to participate and show that I can still move around with the guys and I'm looking forward to it just to show them. Even if it's two or three reps to show that I can still do it and I still have it in me."
It's a great story, but Jones' career -- at least with the Giants -- remains very much in doubt. He says he's at 80 percent physically and doesn't expect to be at full strength until the season is well underway.
The Giants, meanwhile, were forced to move on without him. They drafted Tyler Sash last April, and he's expected to be the third safety behind starters Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle. New York also acquired safeties Stevie Brown and Chris Horton in free agency.
It will be a challenge for Jones to crack the depth chart, but just returning to the field represents a big victory for a guy who got short-changed.
