Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones will miss the workforce’s offseason exercise program after present process a process to repair a shoulder damage, coach Arthur Smith advised reporters in Georgia on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Jones has been a continuing in the midst of the Falcons protection since he was taken within the second spherical of the 2016 draft out of LSU. He has began all however two of the 85 video games he has performed in Atlanta, intercepting 11 passes, getting 8.5 sacks and scoring 5 defensive touchdowns.
His position, nonetheless, has come into query of late. Final season, with a brand new protection below coordinator Dean Pees, Jones moved linebacker positions after the emergence of Foye Oluokun in the midst of Atlanta’s protection.
With Oluokun now in Jacksonville, it was unclear how Jones can be used this season — if he even stays in Atlanta in any respect for 2022.
Jones, a Professional Bowl choice in 2017, has a cap hit of greater than $20 million for 2022, and $9.64 million of his base wage together with a $4 million bonus has been totally assured, in accordance with ESPN’s Roster Administration System. If the Falcons moved on from him after June 1, they might save $1,067,059 in cap area however would incur one other massive lifeless cap hit — one that would differ based mostly on whether or not or not he was traded or launched.
Atlanta, after all, may additionally elect to maintain Jones on the roster. The Falcons signed linebackers Rashaan Evans and Nick Kwiatkoski within the offseason and drafted inside linebacker Troy Andersen out of Montana State within the second spherical. Additionally they have Mykal Walker, who was the workforce’s No. 3 inside linebacker final season, returning.
The Falcons have been within the strategy of clearing their roster of huge contracts. Atlanta already has greater than $63 million in lifeless cash dedicated for 2022, together with greater than $40 million for quarterback Matt Ryan (traded to Indianapolis), $15.5 million for Julio Jones (traded to Tennessee final 12 months) and $4.66 million for edge rusher Dante Fowler, who was minimize earlier this offseason.
