Packers' Jones refuses to use injury as excuse for dropped pass

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GREEN BAY - Green Bay Packers’ receiver James Jones says he will not blame a lingering thumb injury for the pass that went through his hands last Sunday at Philadelphia. And quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he still has no reservations about throwing to Jones.

The Packers’ number-three receiver dropped what could have been a 63-yard touchdown which would have put Green Bay up 21-3 at the half. Instead, the Packers clawed to the end in a 21-16 victory which sets up their NFC divisional contest this Saturday night at Atlanta. Jones’ only other catch was a nine-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Rodgers did not throw any other passes to him, but he said it was a coincidence. The quarterback said he and Jones are close, and they have no issues. Rodgers said Jones has made some big plays during his career – and he’ll do the same in the future when the Packers need it.

After last Sunday’s game, coach Mike McCarthy revealed that Jones has had an injured thumb, even though it was never listed on the team’s injury report. Jones told ESPN Radio in Milwaukee he should have caught the long pass against the Eagles, and he has no excuses for not doing so.

Tags: wisconsin sports, proam, football, packers