Felix Jones Injury: DeAngelo Hall Smart to Target Injured Cowboy

The Dallas Cowboys are facing a good-news-bad-news situation with running back Felix Jones.

The good news is that it looks like they are going to have his services this Sunday against their bitter rivals the Washington Redskins. Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports on Jones’ injury status:

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The prognosis looks good for Cowboys RB Felix Jones, according to a league source.

Jones suffered a separated shoulder during Sunday’s overtime victory over the 49ers but was able to come back in the game, finishing with nine rushes for 25 yards and one reception for five yards. He has since been re-evaluated, and the test results came back with good news.

The team believes Jones will be fine, though he’s obviously in serious discomfort and will have to manage the pain throughout the week as the Cowboys prepare to play the Redskins.

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While having Jones back will undoubtedly be a huge boost for the Cowboys offense, it’s not going to come with a price.

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall knows that his opponent is weak, and according to Mike Florio of NBC sports, he’s going to try to hit them where it hurts:

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“I want to get a chance to put my helmet on whatever’s hurt,” Hall said, per the Washington Post. “Romo’s ribs—I’m going to be asking for some corner blitzes.  If I know Felix Jones’ shoulder’s hurt, I’m not going to cut him.  I’m definitely going to try to hit him up high, so that’s just part of it.

“If you know something’s wrong with an opponent, you’re going to try to target in on that.  We’re going to try to definitely get as many hats on that team as possible.”

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Some have disagreed with Hall’s statement and considered him to be dirty, but the truth of the matter is that he is just telling the truth. He isn’t saying anything that every NFL defender doesn’t think, and he’s also not saying anything that every defender isn’t coached.

It may not be highly publicized, but you are taught as a football player to expose your opponent's weaknesses, and if you can get a good shot at them, you better take it.

Football isn’t a walk in the park, especially in the NFL, and all Hall is doing is pulling back the curtains and letting us take a peek at the reality of the sport. The truth is, Hall and every single one of his teammates would be stupid not to go after the Cowboy’s injured stars. They know Romo is hurt, so go after his ribs. Without Romo, the Cowboys don’t have a chance, so why not go after him and gain a tactical advantage.

As far as Jones is concerned, he’s Dallas’ best running back, and without him, their offense really has trouble moving the ball. If you can take him out of the game, you better try to do so.

It’s not dirty football, it’s just smart football—and anybody who tells you any different is in denial of the reality of the sport.