Sep 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive back Taiwan Jones (22) leaves the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Taiwan Jones has been an interesting figure within the Oakland Raiders organization since coming from small school prominence to the NFL. Moving from running back to cornerback in Oakland while remaining as one of the league’s best special teams talents during that time to earn himself a three year contract with the team in early 2014, Jones has found a way to keep himself as an asset to the Raiders in spite of his inability to find a position that gets him on the field consistently outside of his work on punt/kick coverages.

After signing his longterm extension, Jones hit the injured reserve early on in 2014, suffering a career setback through a foot injury that prevented him from continuing his reputation as an important role player for the Raiders. Sitting the entire season out without playing a regular season snap for Oakland after inking a deal to remain with the team until 2017 as an expected player for the future on the roster.

That setback hasn’t hurt Jones motivations or his plans to become an even better player for the Raiders thankfully as the cornerback/special teams weapon finished his rehab process on his foot and has shifted his attentions to adding strength this offseason. Working with Jay Glazer (the Subway/FOX NFL Insider/UFC guy) at his gym in Los Angeles, the Raiders cornerback is looking jacked and ready to increase his role with the team.

In fact, Glazer recently tweeted a photo revealing that Jones has gained an impressive 25 pounds since joining the gym as part of his offseason training. Bulking up from 180 pounds to 205 at the well renowned Unbreakable gym that is highlighted by a long list of NFL players who have went from Glazer’s gym to improve upon their physical traits during the offseason.

So stoked by work ethic by @taiwanjonesNFL. Came to @Unbreakable 6 wks ago at 180 lbs now heads to OAK at 205. pic.twitter.com/SkX4RoFnVe — Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 29, 2015

It should be noted that Jones was listed at 190 pounds by the Raiders before the 2014 season, so technically his weight increase is either closer to 15 pounds or the Oakland media guide were being generous with the weight of their special teams star. Seeing as Jones has always been an undersized speedster it may be closer to the Raiders being generous with his listed weight than anything, or that the player lost weight recovering from his foot injury before training at Glazer’s gym. Either way it is an impressive training accomplishment for a player who is trying to have a breakout season in Oakland after an injury setback.

Jones’ weight gain could help him to improve at the defensive back position more than anything as he will be better equipped to tackle and play physically at cornerback at a listed weight of 205 pounds. Needing to find a position to get him on the field beyond special teams, Jones looks motivated to make himself a player who could sneak his way into the Raiders plans at cornerback despite his IR stint. Keep an eye on the special teams weapon starting in training camp as it looks like Jones has the hunger to increase his role in 2015.