Entering Week 11, Chandler Jones is leading the NFL with 10.5 sacks, and for the first time this season, the veteran defensive end popped up on New England's injury report. He was limited in practice this week with an abdomen issue.
When asked directly about the ailment after Friday's walkthrough session, Jones offered virtually no details.
"I'm just trying to go out and do better, get better every day. I was on the injury report, limited. So, that's what I'm doing," he smiled. "All I can do is come out and get better. I was limited in practice. I went out and practiced, limited."
Jones would not say if his injury will affect his ability to play Monday night against Buffalo. He has missed games in two of his previous three seasons as a result of various injuries, but Jones says now, in his fourth campaign, he's paying closer attention to maintaining his overall health, particularly after games.
"What I'm starting to understand more, is taking care of your body. Like a day after a game, like [this coming] Tuesday, you have to recover. You have to get in the [cold] tubs, you have to get the massages, the deep tissue [massages]… all that stuff matters," Jones stressed. "If you don't stay on top of that stuff, it adds up. So, that's what I try to do. You know, you have one day out of the week just to be a beast, and why not… and then recover and rest your body for the rest of the week."
The new approach seems to be paying dividends. Jones is averaging more than a sack per game, and though the game film would suggest that many of those sacks were a direct result of Jones making great individual plays against his opponents, he was quick to deflect that suggestion.
"I'm familiar with a lot of different looks, and even though you said that's an individual effort, I wouldn't be able to get the sack without the other 10 guys on the field. All the guys are great. We feed off of each other. It's like a brotherhood out there playing, and it's fun."
Jones is clearly having fun this season, which, if it continues on its current trajectory, will wind up being his most productive as a pro.
"I just feel like each and every week, I'm excited to go out. Besides being limited in practice [this week]," he grinned, "I feel good."
