The Vikings added defensive lineman Datone Jones on a one-year, $3.75MM contract in March, but he might not play a meaningful game in their uniform. Head coach Mike Zimmer indicated Thursday that the next couple weeks could make or break Jones’ chances of cracking Minnesota’s roster, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter links).
“At times he’s had a good stretch and then stretches where he reverts back,” said Zimmer, who added that the “next two weeks will be important” for Jones.
The 27-year-old Jones’ deal came with a $1.6MM signing bonus, which isn’t an enormous amount, but having to cut ties with him after doling it out would nonetheless be a disappointment for the Vikings. Moving on from Jones would save the team $2.19MM.
Jones joined Minnesota after spending the first four years of his career with NFC North rival Green Bay, which used the 26th overall pick on him in 2013. The ex-UCLA Bruin didn’t live up to his first-round billing as a member of the Packers, with whom he totaled 59 appearances but only nine sacks and seven starts. Jones logged a career-high four starts and amassed 548 snaps across 15 games last year, when he added 22 tackles, a sack and ranked 70th in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.
Jones served as an edge rusher in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme, but he’s working at his college position – three-technique defensive tackle – with the Vikings. Tom Johnson is set to start ahead of Jones there and alongside standout nose tackle Linval Joseph in the middle of the Vikings’ line, while Will Sutton and Shamar Stephen are also on hand as experienced options.