Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs coach: Ronald Jones II ‘struggled mentally’ to get over fumble

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II did not return to Thursday’s season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys after losing a fumble in the second quarter.

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians on Friday explained why Jones was glued to the bench after losing the ball following a 1-yard gain.

“‘Ro’ was running really, really well until the fumble, and then he struggled mentally to get over it,” Arians said of the 24-year-old Jones. “That was too big of a game and go out there and not be focused, so (Leonard Fournette) got the rest of the way.”

Fournette had nine carries for 32 yards while Jones had four rushes for 14 yards in the Buccaneers’ 31-29 victory over the Cowboys. Fellow running back Giovani Bernard had a pair of catches for 12 yards on the team’s final possession.

Jones led the Buccaneers in carries (192), rushing yards (978) and rushing touchdowns (seven) last season. He did not lose a fumble in 14 games for the Super Bowl champs in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs place RB Jones on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed running back Ronald Jones II on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

The team did not divulge whether Jones had tested positive or come in close contact with an infected person.

Jones, 23, was already questionable for this weekend after surgery Tuesday on his fractured left pinkie finger.

The third-year back was injured while blocking in Sunday’s 26-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings but returned to the contest and finished with 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He is fourth in the NFL with 900 rushing yards in 13 starts this season.

Looking to solidify their playoff chances, the Buccaneers (8-5) face the Falcons (4-9) in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay can earn a playoff spot this week with a victory and a tie between the Vikings and Chicago Bears.

If Jones is unavailable Sunday, veteran teammates Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy are expected to see more activity.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II (27) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs RB Jones rushes for 98-yard touchdown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II ran into the history books with a 98-yard touchdown gallop on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Only two players in NFL history have produced 99-yard runs — Tony Dorsett of the Dallas Cowboys in 1982 and Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans in 2018. The Green Bay Packers’ Ahman Green is the only other player with a 98-yard run, in 2003.

Lined up in his own end zone midway through the third quarter, Jones took a first-down handoff up the middle, slipped an arm tackle at the 12 and outraced the Carolina defense to the end zone. The score gave Tampa Bay a 26-17 lead with 7:39 left in the quarter.

The previous longest run in Buccaneers history was an 84-yard touchdown by Doug Martin during a 45-17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 22, 2015. The longest offensive play in franchise history was a 95-yard pass from Josh Freeman to Vincent Jackson against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 21, 2012.

Jones, 23, was Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. His longest carry before Sunday was 49 yards.

–Field Level Media