IRVING, Texas – Thursday is Byron Jones' first Thanksgiving game with the Cowboys, and the rookie defensive back has a short week to treat a sore ankle that he rolled on the defense's final drive Sunday against the Dolphins.
"He hurt his ankle and afterwards it was a little bit sore," head coach Jason Garrett said, "but he was pretty good today and hopefully he can do something as the week goes on."
The Cowboys held a walkthrough Monday, and Jones said afterward he felt fine. He's also looking to clean up the two long passing plays the Dolphins completed against him in his first career start at cornerback for an injured Mo Claiborne (hamstring), whose status for Thursday is uncertain.
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed a 47-yard play to Jarvis Landry in the second quarter that led to a touchdown, and Kenny Stills caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on Jones in the third quarter.
It was Jones' first full week at cornerback since training camp, having mostly played safety his rookie season.
"You're reminded by how small the margin of error out there as a cornerback is," he said. "But yeah, you can't give up the two big plays.
"One bad play or two bad plays can really change the whole game. I think defensively we did really well. They were 1-for-10 on third downs. So, other than those two big plays. Just got to eliminate those."
Said Garrett: "It's a man to man coverage look where he is by himself both in press coverage and in off coverage. They made some plays. He's right there to make the plays, but good throw and good catch. That's the nature of this league. When you're out there by yourself against good players, quarterbacks that can deliver the ball, sometimes those things can happen. I think he's learning. I think he's getting better. He certainly plays with the right spirit. We like him a lot."
