After six solid seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the running back suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2012 after only playing in six games.
He returned from injury last year but was obviously still dealing with the lingering effects, as he failed to record over four yards per carry in a season for the first time in his career.
Jones-Drew's 3.4 yard-per-carry performance in Jacksonville last season was enough for the Jaguars to allow the running back to hit the open market—even though he still showed glimpses of his old form at times in 2013:
The Oakland Raiders didn't hesitate, signing him to a three-year contract over the offseason to form a backfield duo alongside Darren McFadden.
Well, there was one more wrinkle to that story that went unknown until recently.
During an interview with Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, Jones-Drew made it known he contemplated retirement:
For awhile, I was contemplating retirement because I just didn't feel like I had it anymore. My trainer helped me get back in shape and gain that foundation that I'd lost with the surgery.
It doesn't bother me that people have written me off, but it's just how they've done it. I understand if I had played bad the year before, then played the way I did [in 2013]. Then, I could understand people saying, 'Oh, he's done.' But I was leading the league in rushing before I broke my foot.
Not only was Jones-Drew's decision to forgo retirement and remain in the league a good one, but the Raiders are about to reap the benefits of a very good running back with a big chip on his shoulder.
According to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, Jones-Drew will be looking to silence doubters:
Before Jones-Drew's injury, he was still considered one of ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
