TJ Jones turning heads as Lions punt returner

It took a year longer than expected, but TJ Jones finally got his first taste of NFL action Thursday.

Jones, who spent his entire rookie season on the physically unable to perform list with a nerve problem brought on by spring shoulder surgery, caught the only pass thrown his way and was the Detroit Lions most productive punt returner as they opened the preseason with a 23-3 victory over the New York Jets.

"Not really (any nerves), surprisingly," Jones said. "It was more, after a year of waiting, I felt like it was well overdo so it was more excitement, more ready just to get out there rather than nerves."

Jones has been the forgotten man in a crowded race for the No. 4 and 5 receiver spots for much of training camp, trailing veterans Lance Moore, Jeremy Ross and Greg Salas in both practice reps and production.

But the 2014 sixth-round pick thrust himself right back into competition for a back-end roster spot with his performance on special teams Thursday.

Though he was credited with just 31 return yards, Jones gained at least 14 yards on all three of his punt returns but had two big gains wiped by Nevin Lawson holding penalties.

"He has speed," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's slippery enough to get through some small cracks that he had there and I think he did a very nice job."

Jones, who handled some punt returns as a senior at Notre Dame, was the fourth Lion in the return rotation after Ross, Ameer Abdullah and Ryan Broyles.

Either Ross or Abdullah is expected to handle return duties once the regular season begins, but the more productive Jones is on special teams the more likely he is to make the 53-man roster.

"If they want me to return in the preseason, I'll do the best that I can," Jones said. "If they want me to run gunner or jammer or do kick returns, I do that as well and then kind of let them make that decision off of my production."

Overall, Jones said he was happy with his Lions debut. He didn't have any assignment or mental errors, and after going nearly 20 months without game action, he felt back home on the field again.

"I got hit, it's good, I feel normal, get back up, it's just like the football I played in the past," Jones said. "It's definitely a good feeling."

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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