Jones: Felix Jones remains a 'great asset'

After Felix Jones was unimpressive during the Cowboys' first two preseason games, Jerry Jones replied to a question by saying it was ridiculous to think that the 2008 first-round pick could be cut.

Felix Jones made the roster, but a month later he continues to struggle.

With DeMarco Murray having a firm hold on the running back position, Felix Jones has been moved to mostly kickoff return duty, a job that saw him fumble the opening kickoff Sunday in Seattle and showcase little to no elusiveness.

So is it still ridiculous to think the former Arkansas standout could be cut? The team owner and general manager said Tuesday that he feels the same way he did when he was asked the question in August.

"I feel like we're in good shape," Jerry Jones told the New School show on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM].

Felix Jones has one carry this season for one yard and four receptions for 40 yards. Above that, he's looked slower and doesn't seem to have the big play ability he once possessed. Not exactly the mark of a good returner. Couple that with the fumbled kickoff against Seattle and it might be time to find a replacement for kickoff returns.

"I don't know about that," Jerry Jones said. "I think we saw him be quick at practice last week. I think we need to give him a little more room out there. Felix has returned a lot of kickoffs in his time, All-American twice in college as a kickoff returner. We have, over the years, been reluctant to use him as a kickoff returner because we didn't want to risk injury. But we decided this year to use him as a kickoff returner.

"He should be a great asset for us and that's the way it remains."

The 25-year-old has returned eight kicks for 170 yards. His longest return went for 29 yards. Last season, Felix Jones returned seven kicks for 186 yards, including a 69-yarder. Sunday's fumble was his second in 61 career returns.