As Chad Jones continues to recover from major surgery on his left leg following a serious car accident, the New York Giants are keeping close contact with their rookie safety.
Coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese have talked with Jones, and the team's medical staff maintained communication with family and friends. Director of player development Charles Way traveled to New Orleans and visited with Jones at the LSU public hospital.
Jones' football future is uncertain after he suffered a broken left leg when the third-round pick crashed his 2010 Range Rover SUV into a pole. He was in surgery almost all day Friday, and Jones' family said the surgery was successful.
His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that Jones' parents said there will be a "very lengthy" rehab process. The extent of his injuries weren't revealed, and Arceneaux said he didn't know what the timetable is for the safety's recovery, or when he will be released from the hospital.
"I think it's too premature to even speculate on any of that at this point," Arceneaux told the Times-Picayune. "I know his family is absolutely ecstatic that the surgery was successful."
Arceneaux said he believes Jones should walk again and that the leg will not require amputation.
"I don't see that based on the type of athlete that Chad is that anything would prevent Chad from walking. And from running," Arceneaux said to the paper.
Al Jones, the rookie's father, said doctors were very concerned about improving the flow of blood to Jones' ankle, and it appeared they were able to accomplish that.
"Chad got this far," his father said. "God brought him this far. He's not going to leave him alone. Chad is a fighter. That's why he's at this point and stage in his life, and he's going to continue to fight. ... One way or another, Chad's going to be just fine."
Jones lost control of his SUV after he turned his wheel abruptly while trying to get off the streetcar tracks on Carrollton Avenue near Toulouse Street, where the accident occurred. That may have caused the vehicle to flip.
Jeb Tate, spokesman for New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, said that paramedics and the New Orleans fire department needed 20 minutes to extract Jones from the vehicle.
A New Orleans police department spokesperson told reporters that Jones was cited for careless operation of a vehicle and that toxicology tests were being administered to see if alcohol played a part.
Jones signed a contract recently with the Giants reportedly worth $2.6 million for four years, with a signing bonus of $825,000. The 6-2 Jones was expected to be the fourth-string safety this season and a contributor on special teams.
Jones left LSU after his junior season as one of the best athletes in school history. He is one of two players in NCAA history to win the BCS national championship in football (in 2007) and a national title in baseball (last season). The outfielder and reliever was drafted by the Astros out of high school, and the Brewers shortly after the Giants took him in the third round of the NFL draft.
Even without Jones, the Giants still have depth at safety after signing veterans Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant in the offseason. Starter Kenny Phillips also hopes to begin practicing in August at training camp after knee surgery last season.
