Georgia LB Jarvis Jones gets good news on his stenosis
Posted by on March 11, 2013 – 11:39 amGeorgia LB Jarvis Jones is considered one of the best playmakers available in next month’s NFL Draft, but there have been concerns raised about a neck condition he suffers from called spinal stenosis.
It appears some of those apprehensions regarding his condition might have been initially overblown, according to a report on NationalFootballPost.com.
Jones was diagnosed with stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column, after suffering a neck injury as a freshman at Southern California. USC doctors would not clear him to return to action, which prompted his transfer to Georgia. He never had an issue with his neck while at Georgia and led the nation with 14.5 sacks last year as a junior.
“I have a slight narrowing in my spine between the C4 and C5 (vertebraes),” Jones told members of the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month.
“Like pretty much everybody – probably some of you all have spinal stenosis and don’t know it – I have it. But most of the doctors checked me out and feel that I’m fine. I don’t have any contusion or anything like that in it.”
In a medical report that was sent to NFL teams, a leading orthopedist, Craig Brigham, refutes that Jones never had a significant spinal cord contusion, according to the NationalFootballPost.com article.
Brigham concluded that Jones either had a very mild incident of spinal cord contusion or merely a stinger that has long since resolved. He concluded that Jones is cleared to play without restriction.
Jones could be an option for the Lions with the No. 5-overall pick if they feel comfortable with their medical evaluations.
“I don’t know, in Jarvis Jones’ case, he was playing some pretty good ball out there and the neck looked fine to me,” Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said at the combine.
The team recently signed outside linebacker DeAndre Levy to a multi-year deal and have middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch signed through 2016, but Justin Durant – Detroit’s other starter on the outside – is set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Posted in Lions Insider Tim Twentyman | 15 Comments »
By Matthew on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Lions need to draft him !!
He is a playmaker and a future pro baller
He can make an instant impact
Lions need him
By Young Herschel on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Jarvis Jones has a risk vs reward ratio as does everyone else in the NFL draft.
He’s only available at #5 overall because of his medical history in my view. In 2007, Adrian Peterson was available to the Arizona Cardinals at #5 only because of his medical history too – they rejected him and drafted OT Levi Brown.
Jarvis is the premiere pursuit playmaker in the NFL draft – a plug & play weakside linebacker for 1st & 10. He’s a major upgrade over both Deandre Levy and Justin Durant in my view. Just imagine the plays and takeaways Jarvis could make lined up behind those destructive defensive tackles – Suh & Fairley as a WILL. Then on 3rd & very long he can create havoc as the designated pass-rusher at Dime Defensive End. The problems he would create for opposing offenses just boggle the mind
By Eric on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Please…PLEASE draft this guy. The Lions have never had a Clay Matthews type linebacker that destroys the opposing team’s offensive game plan. This could be the impact type player they’ve needed at linebacker for decades. He will also help the secondary since they won’t have to cover as long. I agree with you Young Herschel, team him up with Suh, and Fairley and unleash the hounds. Jones + Suh + Fairley and if Willie Young and Lawrence Jackson (If LoJack returns) can fulfill their potential…pass rush could (I realize that’s a big “could”) be scary good.
By Dave "Waz" on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Jarvis Jones has been on my “wish list” since day one. This news is GREAT! When you stop and take a look at the most successful defenses around the league, the core is usually a playmaking linebacker that has everyone on the offensive side of the ball aware of his presence. Example: Lewis, Urlacher, etc. We really need secondary help, but the draft is deep at these positions this year. We can’t pass this opportunity up. Focusing on these receivers scares me a bit. With everyone (Burleson, Broyles) back healthy next year, linebacker and secondary are #’s 1 and 2 on the list. Defense wins Super Bowls.
By Me on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Durant is a strong side OLB not a WILL(weak side). Big difference in the two positions. Jarvis would come in and play Strong side.
By Sanders on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Even if the spinal stenosis isn’t significant, what about the general consensus that he is lazy and doesn’t like to spend time in the gym? That won’t cut it at the NFL level, and I don’t know that he fits our system.
By rockbo1955 on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
that fact remains that the whole problem with the defensive is the defense secondary ! that stood out all season last year opposing teams made 29 yards and got the first down! We must fix the secondary first you can get lb and de but if you can not cover the QB will get the ball out before anybody gets to the QB! Dee millner sign houston take care of the CB get two ss and then find lb,de,rb,wr, jones wont be the guy cause we have to fix the secondary first before anyone else!
By Thomas V on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Jarvis Jones is the best player in the draft. I like him over Milliner. I like him over Ansah (who has limited tape and limited games played). I like him over everyone. We should take him for his overall best player available status. No doubt in my mind now that he has a clear bill of health, draft him.
By Steve W on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
i would love this pick. i think it would fill a need at LB, and would also take pressure off other needs (DE, SS). the lions have three young CB, who they need to learn more about before they go spending a high draft pick on another young CB. SS are best taken later in the draft, and it seems like there is a ton of draft depth at DE to be able to take one early in the second round. the offence with best be helped through free agency, or in later rounds for a split-time back, so no need to take a skill position that early either. really, it becomes whether or not the front office thinks the players they already have can contribute, and whether or not the draft depth can offer them a quality player in later rounds. this would not be a bad pick though.
By T Singer on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
He is the best defensive player in the draft period!!! He might not be there at 5. But wouldnt it be nice to have a big play LB like mathews from GB. Sign houston or another vet CB we have 3 CB in draft last year like Bentley. Then a DE or oline with 2nd pic. Defense = playoffs. Oh and sign abraham at DE.
By WIlliam Harrington on Mar 11, 2013 | Reply
Him and bacarri rambo need to be added to our defense, we would have a fine pair of safeties with rambo and delmas. Plus with Jones we could run a 3 4 instead of a 4 3. fairley and hill can blow up the middle, jackson, young and suh would be just fine as modified DE’s. That is a defense full of names you dont mess with, honey badger or not. Plus i havent given up hope on our CB’s for last year, we drafter 3 for a reason one will step up with Houston. With 10M freed up with arvial leaving sign freeney for 2 years, draft a high DE next season.
By Jacob R on Mar 12, 2013 | Reply
I don’t really disagree with anyone on here because their are a ton of ways the Lions can go about filling the roster. I just think they should desperately try to trade down to anywhere between 12-25. The problem would be finding a suitor. The draft is deep as in everyone is the same, not as in their are a lot of playmakers out there. this is the type of year a team finds solid role players. Trade down, draft a safety (Elam) a WR (one of those Tennessee guys) and sign a couple free agents. get a couple Vets at DE for a band-aid and address it next year. Jones would play more DE for Detroit than anything, not the Will. He’s a pass rusher.
By Young Herschel on Mar 13, 2013 | Reply
^^ I disagree with your assessment – he’s the perfect prototype for a weakside linebacker. His strongest skills are not at the point of attack, but in hot pursuit on plays awayfrom him. This also why he’s not suitable for Defensive End permanently. Jarvis can add an explosive element to Detroit’s Dime package but he’s not heavy-built enough to play there on an every down basis.
You really need him on the second level as a WILL specificly so he can capitalize on all the commotion caused by Suh & Fairley then diagnose and destroy the ballcarrier. Plays are often made or missed on the second level, whether run or pass, so the WILL has to be your most athletic and explosive linebacker. Jarvis Jones can add a playmaking dimension that Deandre Levy lacked last year on the weakside; Levy is probably going to be assigned elsewhere in my opinion because he was so ineffective as the WILL
By Young Herschel on Mar 13, 2013 | Reply
^^ I do agree that they could upgrade the secondary in the second round by selecting the best Defensive back available – perhaps Florida Safety Matt Elam, LSU Safety Eric Reid, Texas Safety Kenny Vaccaro NC State Corner Dave Amerson or Florida State Corner Xavier Rhodes.
Someone special should fall to the second round. Then at the top of round 3 grab the best lineman available – a starter for offense or defense even. LSU Defensive End Sam Montgomery is being severely underrated by scouts drooling over Barkevious Mingo’s athleticism, but Mingo is nearly as productive nor complete as Montgomery who can do it all – hardcore LSU Football fan here
By Fouad Sayed on Mar 14, 2013 | Reply
I agree with pretty much everyone are offense looks to be pretty solid we need 1 or 2 more playmakers on defense, Jarvis jones is a very good choice he seems to be healthy and one of the best in the draft. I think the lions will be a very good all around team if they draft either Jarvis jones or Manti Te’o . Draft one of them!!