Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones has been flying a little under the proverbial radar at training camp this summer.
Jones, the electric fourth-round special teams returner out of Purdue in 2023, already has multiple returning touchdowns to his name with the Bengals over 19 career games, but has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t been able to break into the base offense when available.
But Jones has consistently been named as one of the players enjoying the best camps by anyone who has seen the proceedings. And now there’s this about Jones’ rehab journey from two surgeries to repair a hernia, courtesy of Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“Still healthy, but eating more times throughout the day,” Jones said. “Higher calorie count. A lot of smoothies. Being a smaller guy. I’m trying to keep more weight on.”
Jones is also spending more time in the recovery areas and taking time every day to hop in and out of the hot beds and cold tubs.
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With Andrei Iosvias and Jermaine Burton there to soak up reps in the base offense behind and with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Jones probably isn’t going to see many snaps with Joe Burrow.
But the fact he’s healthy and making a difference, even if it’s Jake Browning getting him the ball, bodes well for his roster chances. It also keeps the returner conversation interesting because Burton has been working there and it might box out a roster hopeful like Isaiah Williams.
While a little thing, if Jones can stay on the field and help swing the field-position battle consistently, the Bengals could prosper from this small-looking development in August.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals’ overlooked player enjoys best training camp of almost anyone
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
