Walter Jones on IR, Career in Question

Walter Jones has been a staple for the Seattle Seahawks since 1997, but the Seahawks are going to have to play the entire 2009 season without him. Wednesday, during a press conference, it was announced that Jones has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Jones hasn't been able to shake the pain in his knee, which stemmed from microfracture surgery in December and then another scope on the same left knee in training camp.

The venerable left tackle has started 180 games on his quarterback's blind side, racking up an impressive resume in the process. The future Hall of Famer has made nine Pro Bowls and been elected as a first-team All-NFL player four times in his illustrious career.

Without him, the Seahawks have had an awful time protecting Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace this season. Much more troublesome is the assembly line of offensive lineman the Seahawks have attempted to use this season (my colleague J.J. Cooper said, "left tackle for the Seahawks this year is like being a drummer for Spinal Tap"). Sean Locklear is dubbed as the "heir apparent" to Jones at left tackle, but he's still battling back from injury himself. He does appear to be the left tackle of the future, though.

As for Jones' future, Seahawks head coach Jim Mora, Jr. would not make any statements about Jones' career being in jeopardy and said, "it's too early for a career eulogy." But is it?

Jones is turning 36 this January. He's had a hell of a time coming back from a surgery that was performed nearly a year ago. I can't imagine going through all those knee problems at a size of 6-foot-5, 325 pounds. This is nothing more than conjecture, but at some point there's only so much wear and tear the body can take. Hopefully the big man can come back, because he deserves to go out on his own terms.