LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder Friday night, but coach Jay Gruden expressed optimism that he wouldn't be sidelined long, calling it a slight separation.
Jones hurt his shoulder in the first quarter of Washington's 22-18 win over the New York Jets when a defender rolled over him. Jones immediately went to the bench and eventually headed to the locker room for X-rays. He'll undergo more tests Saturday to determine the severity.
"It's a little upsetting, but I think he is going to be OK," Gruden said. "I don't think it's going to be a long injury."
The Redskins couldn't afford for Jones to miss a lot of time. They're thin at running back. Chris Thompson is the third-down back but durability issues prevent him from taking on a heavy load. They also have rookie seventh-round pick Keith Marshall and undrafted free agent Rob Kelley.
Jones will be the primary back this season. On Friday, he rushed seven times for 30 yards before the injury. He struggled a little to get a shirt on after showering.
"When I went down, on a scale of one to 10, [the pain] was a seven, and then it went up and then it settled down," Jones said. "I still have flexibility now, so it's not as bad as it was. I'm moving well now. The only thing I can't do is raise my hand. That's about it."
