Cowboys running back Ronald Jones to miss time due to groin injury

Dallas Cowboys running back Ronald Jones suffered a groin injury during training camp practice on Saturday that will sideline him for the time being, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy shared few details but told reporters on Monday that the free agent pickup will miss “some time.”

“He’s going to miss some time,” McCarthy said. “He won’t practice today. He will not be available today.”

The Cowboys snagged Jones out of free agency in March as one of three moves in the market.

In 2022, Jones logged six regular season games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bucs, notching 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. His best season so far was in 2020 when he had a 978-yard rushing campaign. Jones also ran for 724 yards in 2019, and 428 yards in 2021.

With Dallas searching for a reliable No. 2 behind Tony Pollard, Jones’ injury is not ideal. Still, they have Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn, who are all young, healthy, and eager to take reps this preseason.

This week has been a rough one for the former Kansas City Chiefs running back. The NFL handed down a two-game suspension to him after he tested positive for a drug that is on the league’s performance-enhancing drug list.

Jones explains reason behind PED suspension

The 25-year-old said his failed test was for heart medicine he’s been prescribed since entering the league in 2018.

Jones, who will miss the first two games of the 2023 regular season, addressed the suspension at training camp.

“We tried to appeal,” Jones said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “I asked for a re-test, sample my blood, my health concerns and they didn’t really look at it. I think there needs to be more protection for the players… If you have health issues, we’re human beings outside of football… We have real-life issues too. My family suffers from heart disease.”

Jones, who signed a one-year deal with Dallas in March, is eligible to continue practicing during training camp and play in preseason games.

He will miss the season opener against the New York Giants, as well as the Week 2 showdown against the New York Jets. Jones can make his Cowboys debut in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cowboys snagged Jones on a one-year deal for $1.232 million. He’s losing out on $121,388 due to the two-game suspension.

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.