Kansas City Chiefs Newcomer Ronald Jones Is Battling For A Roster Spot

Ronald Jones was one of many Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ thrilling additions to the offense this offseason.

Many observers nonetheless anticipate him to make the staff, however he’s not the lock that one would have anticipated.

The operating again is batting for taking part in time at a one of many deepest place teams on the Chiefs’ talent-laden roster.

Of their first preseason sport — a 19-14 loss to the Chicago Bears — the Chiefs began Clyde Edwards-Helaire at operating again. Then rookie Isiah Pacheco entered on the eighth offensive play and in addition served as a kick returner within the sport.

The rotation of the operating backs at coaching camp observe behind Edwards-Helaire has been in flux. However currently Jerick McKinnon, who performed only one offensive snap in opposition to the Bears, and Pacheco have been getting reps forward of the veteran Jones.

“Yeah, some days he will get greater than different days. However he’s profiting from the possibilities he’s getting and dealing onerous,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid mentioned final week. “However he’ll have an opportunity to play. We’ll simply see how he does.”

Jones didn’t enter the Bears sport till the second quarter and gained only one yard on 4 complete speeding makes an attempt.

Maybe extra disconcerting than Jones’ speeding was his blocking. On the Chiefs’ second drive of the third quarter, he was no help against rookie defensive end Dominique Robinson, who sacked Shane Buechele for a lack of 12 yards. On the following play, Jones misplaced a yard whereas speeding to the precise facet.

The Chiefs doubtless will preserve simply three to 4 operating backs — not together with fullback Michael Burton — on the ultimate roster.

Jones’ contract isn’t onerous sufficient that he might be thought of secure to make the roster. His one 12 months, $1.5 million contract with the Chiefs contains $750,000 assured.

Battling it out with Jones is Gore, who’s on a one-year, $825,000 deal. He rushed for 256 yards in 11 video games in his NFL debut season final 12 months however didn’t do himself any favors on Saturday.

Coming into the sport after Jones, Gore obtained his first motion on the second drive of the second quarter. On his first carry, he misplaced two yards on first and 10. On the third-to-last Chiefs offensive play of the primary half, he dropped a go.

Then, most egregiously, on the third drive of third quarter, Gore fumbled on second and 7. The fumble was compelled by former Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Pennel.

Gore suffered a neck damage within the second half. Happily, it didn’t appear critical.

Within the first half, he led all operating backs with 15 performs adopted by Pacheco with eight, Edwards-Helaire with seven, Jones with six and McKinnon with one.

Regardless of receiving all of these reps, Gore’s standing — much more so than Jones’ — is in peril because of the emergence of Pacheco.

The seventh-round draft decide (251st total) out of Rutgers gained six yards on two carries in opposition to the Bears.

“He ran onerous and performed quick,” Reid mentioned. “He did a pleasant job.”

Pacheco’s finest play was his reception for 5 yards, which got here on a first-and-goal state of affairs, demonstrating the Chiefs’ curiosity in wanting to guage him at a crucial juncture. On that reception he broke a sort out of Bears defensive again Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs scored a landing the subsequent play.

Sporting Tyreek Hill’s former jersey quantity, Pacheco is considered one of two Chiefs backs from Rutgers. The opposite is Burton, who had heard tales of Pacheco’s ability when he went again to watch the Crimson Knights’ spring observe a couple of years in the past.

Pacheco’s now incomes rave critiques at Chiefs coaching camp practices.

“He practices actually onerous,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes mentioned. “He has all of the bodily instruments and he’s been mentally nice.”

And he’s placing the way forward for among the different confirmed Chiefs operating backs in jeopardy.