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Report: Jarvis Jones' neck history gives teams pause

Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones chose not to participate in any workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Related or not, health questions continue to follow Jones.

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ProFootballTalk.com cited a league source Saturday in reporting that concerns over Jones' neck have prompted "multiple teams" to reconsider if he's a safe first-round draft pick.

Jones told reporters Saturday in Indianapolis that "I feel healthy" after a full day of being "pulled on and yanked on" by NFL team medical staffs.

"Most of the doctors checked me out, and they feel like that I'm fine, I don't have no contusion or anything like that in (my spine)," Jones said. "I only had one accident of having a stinger at USC (in) 2009, my freshman year. Never had any symptoms after that."

Jones suffered a neck injury during the 2009 season and was sidelined for the entire 2010 season. Jones was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and USC doctors refused to clear him for contact and recommended he retire from football. Jones instead chose to transfer to Georgia, where he was medically cleared.

Jones led the nation with 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss in 2012, claiming Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. He is the second-rated outside linebacker in Mike Mayock's positional rankings.

Jones acknowledged he hasn't received official results of Saturday's tests, but he "feels really good about today." He also said he isn't concerned about entering the NFL with a spinal condition.

"Not at all," Jones said. "Anybody that steps on that field, they got a chance of getting hurt. So if you think of it like that, nobody should play football."

Jones is an undeniable first-round talent, something he'll show at Georgia's pro day March 21. It remains to be seen if medical red flags will be enough to knock Jones out of the first round.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.

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