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Jack Jones is Learning the Highs and Lows of the NFL

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Aidan Champion | Last updated 1/6/24

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones has certainly been one of the most positive surprises for the Silver and Black this season.

Jones was quick to make his presence felt when he was given the opportunity to be an impact player for the defense this season, which was especially apparent with his pick-sixes in back-to-back games.

Jones was humbled last weekend, however, when he was hit with a costly offsides penalty that allowed the Indianapolis Colts to re-kick and make what had previously been a missed field goal. While some might say Jones' error took him from "hero to zero," Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce let it be known that mistakes are a part of the game.

"I pretty much talk to Jack [Jones] every day," Pierce told reporters on Friday. "It's been like that for the last 10 years. But yeah, I saw the frustration and hurt.

"And let's make it known, we didn't lose the game because of Jack Jones. And I let him know that. We also won the last two games with Jack Jones, too, now.

"So, I just told him: 'Look, that's the life lessons that comes about as being a professional football player, the ups and downs.' And he's going to have more of those, right? But we're going to rally around him because when he makes the good plays, we love him up, and like I told our guys, when we lose, we love him up the same way.

"And I think the one thing about Jack is that he's going to come to work each and every day and try to get better. And that's the one thing I appreciate about him. He understands it -- I just said: 'Let's not do it again, though, right? Let's not do it again and learn from our mistakes.'"

Jones has one last opportunity to go out with a strong performance to cap off what has been a very promising first season as a Raider.

The Silver and Black finish the 2023 NFL Regular season this weekend at home by hosting their AFC West rival, the Denver Broncos.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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