CHICAGO — Late in the second quarter Thursday night, BearsNewbie Velus Jones Jr.He signaled for fair catch on a kick, but he realized there was plenty of room in front of him. When he saw his team ahead by one point, he decided to make a play.
Instead, he muffed the punt — his second fourth-quarter lost fumble in three weeks. The CommandersTwo plays later, he recovered and took over the lead.
“Rookie mistake,” Jones said after the game. “Just because it was a look then doesn’t mean it’s gonna be a look the next time. That’s one I should’ve definitely let go.”
Jones acknowledged he was “trying to do too much.” It was a ball he should’ve let go into the end zone, especially considering the situation. The game was still 8:18 minutes. Thanks to a clutch tackle made by linebacker, the Bears had just forced an eight-and-out. Nicholas Morrow. They were going for the lead.
“We know that was a devastating blow,” Jones said. “I own up to my mistakes. We wouldn’t be in that situation if that punt wasn’t muffed.”
That’s not the singular reason the Bears fell to 2-4 with a 12-7 loss to Washington. They were inches away from victory despite Jones’ error, as wide receiver
