Packers RB Aaron Jones will have to work his way back into lineup

Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) during Green Bay Packers Training camp Monday, August 13, 2018 at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.,

GREEN BAY - When pressed as to whether running back Aaron Jones would play a lot in his first game back from a two-game suspension, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy told everyone to hold their horses.

“Well, I mean, Jamaal (Williams) and Ty (Montgomery) have been playing good football,” McCarthy said Wednesday of his two primary backs the first two games. “So, I understand what Aaron gives us. But his role will be secondary. Jamaal and Ty will be in the first slot. And how we use them, that’s why we play the game.”

If McCarthy was trying to pull the wool over Washington’s eyes with his commitment to the others, it wasn’t working.

“I think we'll see some Aaron Jones a lot,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said.

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Jones was officially reinstated from the suspended list and to make room for him on the 53-man roster, the Packers cut cornerback Deante Burton. On Sept. 11, the Packers claimed Burton on waivers from the Atlanta Falcons. He was inactive against Minnesota.

Jones said it was humbling not being able to play in the first two games due to violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He said he spent the two weeks off strengthening his body and getting ready for his return.

He did get to play in the final exhibition game against Kansas City and said the hamstring injury that had cost him two weeks in training camp felt fine.

"Everything's a learning lesson,” Jones said. “You've just got to take it in stride, be a man about the mistake you made and learn from it. At the end of the day, I know I hurt myself. It's something I've got to deal with and when I get my opportunity make the most of it."