Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones missed all of last year in Indianapolis with an ankle injury. Now, he'll miss the first four games of the 2016 season thanks to a violation of the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs, the team announced Friday.
"I'm on a mission, and I'm sticking with my mission to come here and dominate and play at a high level," Jones told reporters Tuesday. "I apologize to the organization, more importantly my teammates and the fans, and I appreciate all of their support, too. It's a small thing, another thing I've got to get through, but I'll get through this and when October comes I'll be fresh, I'll be healthy and I'll be ready to dominate."
Jones, older brother of Cardinals defensive end Chandler, was one of the league's stronger defensive tackles before a rash of injuries, and now, this suspension. The loss will underscore just how weak the Colts seem to be on defense, with a starting line that now features Kendall Langford and David Parry. The team's 2016 fourth-round pick Hassan Ridgeway could have to develop a little ahead of schedule to negate the loss.
Ridgeway, who drew some comparisons to Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short before the draft, came out of school at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, which should be suitable for the tackle spot in Chuck Pagano's versatile defense.
Indianapolis finished the 2015 season with the league's eighth-worst rushing defense, allowing more than 120 yards per game.
