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Colts Welcome Back Arthur Jones At Just The Right Time

Intro: Key free agent signee Arthur Jones has battled ankle injuries all season long. What does his addition to the lineup do for the Colts defense this weekend?

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INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off a performance like Sunday night, the return of Arthur Jones comes at an ideal time for the Colts run defense.

Jones, who has missed seven games in 2014, has been a full participant at practice the last two days and Chuck Pagano expects him to be back out there against the Jaguars.

When the Colts signed Jones during the free agency period, he was thought to be a vital piece in an improved run defense.

Sunday could be the first extended look of an interior with Jones and Josh Chapman trying to clog up space.

"It's good to have big Art back," Chapman said earlier this week. "He's one of those guys that knows how to hold it down in the middle. He's played in this defense for a long time and he's been successful."

While one person isn't going to alleviate the Colts recent struggles in the run defense department, Jones has a history of excelling against the run.

When Jones was on the field last year with the Ravens, the defense allowed 3.4 yards per carry. When he was off the field, the Ravens allowed 4.6 yards per rush.

Jones has logged just 104 snaps this season (15.9 percent of the defensive total) but the Colts haven't allowed a rushing touchdown when he's been on the field.

"It will be great to have him back, especially with the kind of performance we had last week with stopping the run," Erik Walden says.

"We are looking forward to getting him back out there on Sunday and getting this back on the right track."

On Thursday afternoon, Jones was beaming after his second straight full practice.

That's a normal look for Jones, as the big man has remained upbeat despite playing in just one full game this season.

Jones says he has fresh legs for a defense eager to welcome him back.

"I feel confident and comfortable. I've been working my butt off to get back. It's time to get this thing in championship form," Jones said.

A popular theme inside the Colts locker room on Thursday was putting the Patriots game well behind them.

Any question about that contest was quickly put to rest, even from a guy like Jones who was left to spectate on Sunday night.

"That game is over with. I don't want to talk about it anymore. It was ugly. You guys saw it, and I don't want to comment on it," Jones said.

"It's Jacksonville. It's all about Jacksonville. It's the most important game, like the coaches say, because it's the next one. We're ready to go. We're ready to go. We got out there Monday and washed that stink off. Now we're ready to rock and roll."

Take a look at the Colts offense getting ready for the Jaguars.

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