Running back Ronald Jones II of the Dallas Cowboys has been suspended for the first two games of the 2023 season for using performance-enhancing drugs in violation of the NFL’s policy.
Along with players like Malik Davis and Deuce Vahn,ug Jones, 25, is trying to establish himself with the Cowboys as Tony Pollard’s backup, though the organisation may eventually go to veteran assistance.
Jones had a strong sophomore season in 2019 (724 rushing yards, six scores) and third season in 2020 (978 rushing yards, seven scores) after being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
However, he finally lost out to Leonard Fournette in the hierarchy and, in anticipation of the 2022 campaign, he signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs via free agency.
Isiah Pacheco, a rookie selected in the seventh round, replaced Jones as the featured back during their unhappy marriage. Jones only made six appearances and ran for 70 yards and a touchdown.
In order to make place for Pollard to start as the starter, the Cowboys dismissed longtime starter Ezekiel Elliott this summer, and he signed a one-year contract with them.
Elliott is still free to sign with any team, but a reunion seems improbable. Making a major statement like adding four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook is not going to happen, since part of the rationale to cut him was to devote less money to the running back position and give Pollard more playing time.
But there are a lot of well-known free agents that are available for the position; Cook and Elliott are joined as the main players by Fournette and Kareem Hunt. Other possible (and less expensive) choices are Kenyan Drake and J.D. McKissic.
Alternatively, the Cowboys may choose to remain with their current bunch, as they have done all offseason, in spite of nagging rumours and suggestions that they ought to bolster the position with a seasoned free agency.
