NFL player who broke a bone in NECK last year handed career lifeline

Free agent guard Robert Jones has been given a path back to the NFL after suffering a season-ending neck injury last year. Jones broke a bone in his neck during a Dallas Cowboys practice session early in training camp last July, before the 2025 season even began. The 27-year-old had signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal with Dallas last offseason and was supposed to be in the mix to possibly start for the Cowboys. However, he never played a snap last season after the horrific injury and was placed on injured reserve list on August 8. Yet, he is now set to return to the league after the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a deal in the hope that he can bounce back from the injury and provide depth on the offensive line as they eye a Super Bowl charge. The Niners hosted Jones for a visit on Monday and, despite missing the entirety of last season, the guard must have impressed. The two sides reportedly reached an agreement shortly after Jones's visit. However, the specifics of the deal have not yet been announced. Jones entered the league with Miami as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Jones started 30 games over four seasons, becoming a full-time starter in his final season there in 2024. The Niners are looking for options at left guard after shuffling several players through that spot last season. Ben Bartch began the season as the starter but only played sparingly there because of injuries and now is a free agent. Spencer Burford started nine games last season but left to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick last season, is back this year and the Niners also signed Brett Toth as a free agent as competition.