Stephen Holder | IndyStar

Matt Kryger/IndyStar

INDIANAPOLIS – There’s got to be a reason for all this.

That’s what Matt Jones keeps telling himself, even as he bounces on and off the Indianapolis Colts’ roster, creating space for players who might actually, you know, play.

It’s been quite the season for Jones, who just two years ago was a third-round pick of the Washington Redskins and began last season as that team’s starting running back.

On this day, he’s relaxing at his locker at Colts headquarters while trying to make sense of how he got here. Specifically, how did he wind up buried on the Colts’ roster, seemingly with very little chance of playing a meaningful role this season? If Jones, 24, was uncertain about whether the Colts see him as part of their 2017 plans, those thoughts were probably crushed when he was waived on Saturday, even as the team was packing its bags to fly to Jacksonville for a matchup with the Jaguars.

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It was the second time this season Jones had been jettisoned, having been waived a day before the team’s season opener in another injury-related roster shuffle. This most recent time, the Colts made it immediately clear it was an injury-related maneuver (they needed an extra offensive lineman for Sunday) and that Jones would be back. Accordingly, he was re-signed on Tuesday. But now Jones is coming to terms with being that guy – the one who gets released to make room for extra bodies.

“If you’re one of those numbers guys,” Jones said, “then it could be you.”

Jones is officially a “numbers” guy. And it doesn’t feel good.

Clark Wade / IndyStar

“This last time kind of caught me by surprise,” Jones said. “It’s been a bumpy road. I’m still focused. I’m good, really. But it does feel like the tunnel gets a little longer sometimes.”

This isn’t the first time Jones has been caught up in the business of football. It happened in Washington, where his fumbles contributed to his benching last season. That led to Jones being a healthy scratch for the final eight games of 2016 after earning 243 carries in his first 1½ seasons.

After the season, the Redskins informed Jones that he was not in their future plans. Compounding the issues, they did not release him despite his decision to stay away from offseason workouts in hopes of forcing the team’s hand.

When Jones finally was waived after the preseason, it seemed things were looking up. The Colts immediately stepped in and claimed him, a sign Indianapolis was eager to get him on its roster. That perception has been reinforced in conversations Jones has had with General Manager Chris Ballard and Vice President of Player Personnel Ed Dodds, who Jones said have indicated they have long-term plans for him. Along those lines, the Colts have signed Jones through 2018 each time they’ve re-signed him.

But it’s hard keeping things in perspective when Jones has been active for just two games this season and even spent two weeks on the practice squad.

“I thought last year there was a lot of business in Washington,” Jones said. “But this here, man…”

Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski on Thursday said Jones could still have a role this season and credited Jones for working to improve in the areas the team asked him to focus on.

“If that opportunity comes up – there are a lot of factors that come into it, special teams and all those things – but I feel confident he’ll be ready if that opportunity comes,” Chudzinski said.

But let’s be honest: The Colts have four games remaining. And the fact that Jones didn’t see playing time even after Robert Turbin’s season-ending injury tells you things aren’t likely to change. The Colts already have three running backs active on game day – Frank Gore, Marlon Mack and Josh Ferguson (who plays a major role on special teams), leaving little room for Jones.

For now, Jones is largely working toward his future. Counterintuitive as it might seem, he believes he’s become a better player even while anchored to the bench.

“I’ve gotten way better,” Jones said. “I don’t think I’d have gotten this much better if I was playing. I’ve had time to really step back and watch myself and really learn and improve. I’ve been watching a lot of other guys, too, a lot of other backs around the league. I’ve definitely gotten better.

“I’ve learned a lot about blitzes and run schemes – everything. I thought I knew a lot, but there’s so much more to learn. This whole year has made me hungrier. And it’s not just that hunger like, ‘Oh, I want to play.’ It’s a different kind of hunger. I’m just waiting on my time.”

That time might still come. As with most of his acquisitions, Ballard acquired Jones not simply to fill a need but because he likes Jones’ skill set and believes he can be developed. With extensive change likely ahead for the offense during the coming offseason Jones could yet find himself in the mix. He still has unique size, at 6-2 and 239 pounds. And he’s still so, so young.

All Jones can do is work and wait, wait and work.

“I’m ready,” he said. “I still feel like my goals are (achievable). I feel like I’m at my peak right now.”