OXNARD, Calif. – While national reports are stating VP Stephen Jones and the Cowboys' organization is frustrated, it now sounds like Jones himself is downright upset.
Reports suggested the Cowboys are frustrated by Morris Claiborne's injury struggles but Jones adamantly refuted that notion on Saturday as he walked off the practice field.
"I try to give ya'll a little bit but …. It's not right," Jones said. "I didn't rip Mo. It's wrong. There's no frustration at all. What I meant to say, in general, at some point these guys have to get back on the field. We were not in any way being derogatory towards Mo Claiborne, period.
"I have zero worries about Mo Claiborne. How that gets out there is beyond me."
The initial story surfaced when Jones was told a local news outlet: "Mo Claiborne's got to get out there. The times he's been out there, it's been impressive. But he certainly can't make the club in the tub, if you will. He's got to get out there. It's time. We got to start having a mentality that we're going to play through things."
Claiborne has only been involved in a handful of practices since the Cowboys drafted him in late April. The club held him out of all offseason work because of a pre-draft wrist injury. Early into camp Claiborne suffered a knee injury that MRI results revealed a slight MCL sprain. This week, Claiborne has been able to participate in the walk-through practices although it's unlikely he will play Monday night against the Raiders.
