Report: Dolphins HC remains optimistic CB Byron Jones will play this season

Byron Jones is moving toward a lost season, but the Dolphins are not giving up hope on the eighth-year defender. 

Mike McDaniel did confirm Jones is still not ready to practice due to the ankle and Achilles operation he underwent in March. While the high-priced cornerback was expected to be ready for training camp, it has obviously brought concern he remains on the shelf into Thanksgiving week. McDaniel said this week he is optimistic Jones will, in fact, suit up at some point this season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes.

The Dolphins have been without Jones and Nik Needham, given a second-round RFA tender to stay in Miami this year, for weeks. Needham is out for the season. Jones’ absence — by far his longest as a pro — has left the 7-3 team shorthanded at corner. It will be interesting to see if Jones can indeed contribute to the Fins this season. By restructuring Jones’ five-year, $82.5M deal this offseason, the Dolphins added some future dead money to the contract — in the event they want to move on before its conclusion.