Bengals would bring back Adam Jones

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CINCINNATI -- The Bengals expect cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones to come back after surgery for a herniated disk in his neck.

They sure could use him this week.

Jones went on injured reserve Tuesday with the neck injury, ending his comeback season. Jones got hurt late in a loss to Atlanta on Sunday. His agent said doctors have recommended surgery. The cornerback will get another opinion before making his decision.

Coach Marvin Lewis confirmed on Wednesday that surgery is likely, but Jones could be back by next season. He's under contract with the Bengals for one more year. Jones wasn't in the locker room.

Jones

"At some point, Adam will have surgery -- once the doctors feel it's time -- with the hopes that he'll be back and ready to play next season," Lewis said. "That would be the outlook that he's looking for. So, that's kind of where it is.

"It's a tough thing on him. This is important to him, and I think he's shown that as he's gone about his daily life. This is important and he's made such huge steps and strides. Maybe this is another positive that he can use and turn around to help others that come down the line after him."

Jones was Tennessee's first-round pick in 2005. Six arrests and a dozen instances involving police intervention scuttled his career. He was suspended for the 2007 season with Tennessee. The Cowboys signed him, but he was suspended for six games in 2008 for an alcohol-related scuffle with a bodyguard provided by the team.

Nobody wanted him last year, forcing him to sit out the season. He tried out with the Bengals in the offseason and got a two-year deal that represented his last chance.

He impressed the Bengals in training camp, winning the third cornerback job behind Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. He also returned punts and kickoffs.

"We've seen guys that have had distractions and issues away from football come back and rebound and change their life, and he's done a great job," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "He's eliminated all the negative things that have happened to him and found a way to be successful on the field.

"To see him at the hospital yesterday and just the mood he was in and just knowing his season was over was difficult on him. It's difficult on this team because he meant a lot to us."

Jones started on Sunday because Joseph was sidelined by an ankle injury. Jones stripped the ball from receiver Roddy White after a catch and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown that put the Bengals ahead 25-24. Cincinnati lost 39-32.

Joseph didn't practice with the team on Monday, although Lewis said he could do more later in the week. Hall had a sore hamstring, and cornerback Morgan Trent also sat out with a sore knee.

The Bengals (2-4) play Miami (3-3) at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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