Maurice Jones-Drew: Back At Full Speed By June
By Luke Sims
Oct 7, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) reacts after quarterback Blaine Gabbert (not pictured) threw a third quarter interception against the Chicago Bears at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Things are looking up in Jacksonville and the Jaguars’ best offensive weapon, Maurice Jones-Drew, is getting his feet back under him too. Adding to the excitement surrounding the Jaguars, MJD has stated that he should be back to full speed by June. This is big for the Jaguars as they enter another offseason with a new offense to learn. Last year MJD sat out from voluntary offseason programs, hurting the locker room and the preparation of the team under then-new head coach Mike Mularkey. Under newly hired Gus Bradley Jones-Drew is showing himself to be more receptive and more team-centered heading into his contract season.
MJD suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his foot in a game against the Oakland Raiders last season. Following the injury the entire offense fell apart and Jones-Drew’s replacements at running back couldn’t equal his success behind patchwork offensive line. He has been rehabbing since while going back to school. He can’t wait to get back on the football field:
"“I just got back to Jacksonville a couple weeks ago from school, just have been rehabbing every day and getting used to the offseason program. I’ll be back at full speed by probably the end of May, beginning of June, and I just can’t wait to get back out there and play. I only had six weeks of football last year, so it’s just going to be exciting to get back and be with my teammates.”"
As a Jags fan I can’t wait to see MJD back on the field either. It was painful watching Rashad Jennings and Jalen Parmele fail to fill Jones-Drew’s large shoes. Without a stout, workhorse running back quarterback Blaine Gabbert faded even more before ultimately being benched and placed on injured reserve in favor of backup Chad Henne. Jones-Drew is still the key to this offense and it is critical that the Jaguars have him back and ready to go as soon as possible, if only for offseason drills and workouts.
– Luke N. Sims
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