Pacman Jones Suffers Neck Injury First Game Back From Suspension, Career in Jeopardy

Well, that didn't take long. "Adam" Pacman Jones played in the first six games of the season, got into a fight with his bodyguard at a Dallas hotel, Commissar Goodell promptly suspended him indefinitely, and after a 30-day stint in rehab, and seven weeks after stepping foot on the field, Jones resumed his NFL career last Sunday in Pittsburgh. He played surprisingly well in the secondary, but was a non-factor in the return game.

And now we learn that Jones injured his neck against the Steelers and won't be available against the Giants this Sunday night. Which means that owner Jerry Jones is furiously writing up a press release calling Mr. Pacman "soft" and claiming that he's shocked to learn that "Adam can't go this week," so on and so forth.

The Dallas Morning News reports that depending on the test results, Jones could miss the rest of the season. All told, not much of a comeback for the Titans 2005 first-round pick who spent 2007 out of football for various off-field transgressions.

Still, given that Jones is only 25 years old and has the potential to be a shutdown cornerback and dangerous return man, Jerry will almost certainly continue to be interested. Because after all, what would Valley Ranch be without all the manufactured drama?

UPDATE: NFL.com's Adam Schefter reports that not only is Pacman in danger of missing the rest of the season, his career could be in jeopardy. "When Jones suffered the injury Sunday, his body went numb for two full minutes. Jones spent the early part of this week visiting with neck specialists, who are sending him on to more neck specialists."

More Trouble for Pacman'?

In his first game back from serving a suspension, Adam "Pacman" Jones suffered a neck injury that likely ends his season, and could end his career. The news was the latest blip in the NFL star's tumultuous career.

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Adam "Pacman" Jones earlier this season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. According to Dallas police, the Cowboys cornerback was involved in a fight with one of his bodyguards.

Tony Gutierrez, AP

Jones, left, who was traded to the Cowboys on April 23 in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, signed a four-year contract with the team that included no signing bonus. Jones was reinstated by the league on Aug. 28 and has been a productive player for the Cowboys this season.

Ron Jenkins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram / MCT

Jones' penchant for misconduct has surpassed his abilities on the field thus far in his short NFL career. Before the latest incident, Jones was arrested six times and involved in a dozen incidents requiring police intervention since the Titans drafted him in the first round in 2005. Goodell suspended Jones in April 2007 after an accumulation of legal problems.

John Russell, AP

While serving his suspension in 2007, Jones signed a contact with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), but was told his participation must be a non-physical role only. He was placed into a tag team known as 'Team Pacman' with Ron "The Truth" Killings and the duo actually held the TNA World Tag Team Championship during Jones' short stay.

Lee South, TNA Wrestling

Jones' most notorious run-in with the law occurred in Feb. 2007 during a raucous NBA All-Star weekend. Las Vegas police said Jones incited a fight at the Minxx Gentlemen's Club in Las Vegas that preceded a triple shooting. He pleaded no contest in Dec. 2007 to a disorderly conduct charge, agreeing to a year probation, random drug testing, community service and anger management classes.

Club bouncer Tommy Urbanski was paralyzed by a gunshot in the Las Vegas strip club melee. The former pro wrestler blames Jones and his entourage for the incident. The total tab for Urbanski's rehab is expected to cost millions of dollars.

Ed Andrieski, AP

Jones got off to a delayed start in the NFL when he missed all but three days of training camp due to contract negotiations. After Jones had signed his deal with the Titans, he donated money to the 100 Club, a charity that financially supports the families of firefighters, police, and emergency workers.

John Russell, AP

Jones made an impact on the field almost immediately for Tennessee. During his rookie season, he accounted for 44 tackles and 10 pass deflections. On special teams, Jones totaled 1,399 return yards.

Rex Brown, WireImage.com

In an interview on the Dan Patrick radio show, Titans coach Jeff Fisher seemed to defend his former player despite his troubles. "He's a very good teammate," Fisher said when asked if 'Pacman' is a bad kid. "He's a very good locker room guy. He just has made a number of bad decisions outside the building."

Mark Humphrey, AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-10-2008 @ 5:24PM

mmlts20078 said...

THOUGH I AM A LIFELONG STEELERS FAN, I'M HAVING A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN GO "ALL THE WAY" WITH THE ANEMIC OFFENSIVE THAT THEY HAVE DISPLAYED THIS SEASON.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE THE #1 RANKED DEFENSE. BUT DOES DEFENSE WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS ANYMORE? THE LAST TIME A DEFENSE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH A FEAT WAS IN 2000, WHEN THE BALTIMORE RAVENS PULLED IT OFF WITH A QUARTERBACK THAT HAD HALF THE TALENT OF "BIG BEN" ROETHLISBERGER!!

DESPITE ALL OF THESE FACTORS, I JUST CAN'T PUT MY MONEY ON THEM TO WIN IT ALL!!

I'LL BLEED BLACK & GOLD AS IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A PITTSBURGH NATIVE... I'M JUST HOPING THAT I DON'T "BLEED OUT" AND NEED A TRANSFUSION AFTER THIS POST-SEASON...

MICHAEL S. MARSHALL
DAYTON, OHIO

12-10-2008 @ 7:49PM

Steve said...

Dear mmlts20078,
Oh how I wish my team had your problem. I won't reveal my team (out of shame), altough during the mid to late 70's the hardest hitting and intense games every season, were between our respectful clubs, be it playoffs or regular season. I watched that game Sunday, and I am very annoyed that after the game all the talk was about the Cowboys. THEY LOST!!! The Steelers defense had EVEYTHING to do with it. The reason, Romo (The apparently annointed superstar who has yet to not make a mistake at the end of a big game) didn't go to T.O. is because the Steelers knew, I knew, you knew, the guy selling hotdogs knew, that the Cowboys only option for a quick strike is that initial guy who talks alot. Look at the pick for a touchdown replay, and the "Damn it Jason look back" replay, you can see in the distance the Steelers had over/under coverage that was in perfect postion on T.....P...no that ain't it......V...no not that....well anyway you know what I mean. Why may you ask because the Steelers PLAY Defense, and better than anybody right now.

But, my point to you my good man, your defense will have you in every game til the end, and defense DOES win championships. The last pure demonstration of that was the Bucs and (sniff) Raiders, superbowl. 10 times in superbowl history the #1 defense has faced the 1# offense, the defense won 9 of those. Including the above example, the Pats and the Greatest Show on Turf (Rams), also comes to mind. The odd thing about the Steelers this year, is thier problem, is the offensive line. The Steel Curtain has maintained a better then 500, record year in year out, becuase they constantly build the cores of both sides of the ball, o-line, d-line, linebackers. O-line seems a question this year, but knowing the Black and Yellow, it will be repaired very quickly. So chin up, I love they way your team plays Defense. Can they go all the way....I don't know, but thier defense will give them a chance. My team.....I am hoping maybe sometime before I pass on.....

12-10-2008 @ 6:43PM

Brad Machado said...

Oh no, Pacman Jones may be done? How sad. I guess Karma really is a bitch. It couldn't happen to a better scumbag.

12-10-2008 @ 7:52PM

amart7 said...

Steve, do us REAL Cowboy fans a favor - SHUT THE F**K UP!

12-10-2008 @ 8:12PM

I am NOT a Cowboys fan, ah but a last, they are also better then my team, in fact Notre Dame might be better then my team.

12-11-2008 @ 11:40AM

SHAWNAH said...

THANK GOD SOMEONE SAID IT... AND TO THOSE STEELERS FANS.. GOOD JOB BEING PROUD OF YOUR DIRTY PLAYING DEFENSE. ITS BEEN SAID BY EVERY DAGGUM TEAM YOUVE PLAYED. YOUR BOYS END CAREERS AND DONT GIVE A CRAP. JUST KEEP ON PLAYING DIRTY.. AND THE KARMA COMMENT.. YOUR RIGHT.. KARMAS A B!TCH. THE STEELERS (MAINLY HINES WARD) WILL GET THERES....

12-10-2008 @ 8:58PM

budo said...

What goes around, comes around!

12-10-2008 @ 8:32PM

mrhtea said...

what goes around, comes around. too bad, so sad.

12-11-2008 @ 1:11AM

Leon said...

Does it really matter about this pacman, and do you really care?

12-11-2008 @ 1:37AM

Margie said...

My heart aches for any human being to go through such a trauma. Here is a man trying from this viewpoint to straighten out his life and pick himself up again. Every one of us has had things we needed to change in ourselves or issues we have struggled to fight against. I hope that whatever the outcome is physically for Adam Jones, he will be strong enough to continue to fight to redeem himself and change his life for the better. I wish him well and sincerely pray that people around him will help him and that he will not let any negativity bring him down. There are people out here rooting for him.

12-11-2008 @ 2:50AM

dchosen1 said...

Steve I don't know if you were watching the right game and saying that the Steelers defense dominated dallas because they shut down TO? Really? I'm sorry but we had other players on that team other than Mr. Owens and no you didn't dominate the game. It was Romo's that gave the game away because he was too damn cold and miccommunicated with his teammates. Dallas had that game steve, and Steelers defense wasn't a factor.

12-11-2008 @ 3:31PM

abbey said...

and what game were you watching? pittsburgh totally dominated with defense. not to take away anything from dallas, their defense was pretty good as well, but if pittsburgh's defense wasnt playing as good as they were, the score would have been a larger margin. im a huge steeler fan but i will be the first to admit the offense is in need of a serious shot in the arm.

12-11-2008 @ 12:55PM

Your bigotry as well as negativity is resoundingly apparent. He is a human being before he is a football player. Show some compassion.

12-12-2008 @ 12:24AM

kc said...

Darn I am a HUGE pac-man fan, and this really cuts me to the bone,,,,, he turned his life around and was climbing back up that mountain of success....

But anyway, I am sure Chris Henry will be there for him, being roommates in college and all....Thank goodness for Good Decent Men....

12-11-2008 @ 3:06PM

footballassasin said...

well i guess the truth hurts,so where was compassion when he went on a rampage,you must be a cowpaddies fan ,that the only reason why your saying where is your compassion,well my responds is ,the truth of the matter isnt so rosey is it,i think maybe you should get out of your sheltered life and get with the program ,you want compassion save it for judgement day you are going to need it

12-11-2008 @ 3:56PM

Lynyrd43 said...

If he was in jail, where he belongs..... it wouldn't be his neck that was hurting ...... Good Riddence and Take TO with ya

12-11-2008 @ 4:31PM

kdwildman said...

Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty players!! They were yanking on Adam Jones like a damn rag doll, with his head stuck IN the pile. No flag and no penalty. That defense plays dirty. They are good, not trying to take anything away from them, but dirty.

12-11-2008 @ 5:58PM

abbey I was watching the cowboys rack up yards against the number #1 defense in the country. Like I said Romo gave it away your defense didn't dominate the cowboys if so how come they score 13 points? Tashard Choice had like what 85yards on the ground and several more receptions right? The Steelers haven't allowed no more than 75 yards on the ground all year. Sure the Steelers won, but because the cowboys choked again not by Steelers dominating Dallas. Either way go cowboys!!!

12-12-2008 @ 1:34PM

Missy said...

Thanks God !! He is a bad luck charm ..a toxic rabbits foot!! We lose when he plays..hhmmm Who thinks he is a good player??? He can't return a punt for more than 3 yards. Who cares how many balls he can catch at once. In the game he can't even catch the ball.TOXIC TOXIC TOXIC This isn't a REHAB for THUGS it's a FOOTBALL TEAM or at least use to be.