Tony Jones Jr. didn't take your typical path to Monday Night Football stardom.
It all started in 2020, with the UDFA out of Notre Dame latching on with the Saints, but being among the team's final cuts. His first career game came against the Panthers, a day when the entire RB room was out with COVID.
Fast-forward more than 3 years and three cuts later -- by three different teams -- and it was Jones, not a member of the practice squad, plowing in for his first two career touchdowns on national television. The Saints needed someone to step up with Alvin Kamara suspended, Kendre Miller inactive and Jamaal Williams out with injury. That's what he did. 12 carries for 34 yards and a pair of massive touchdowns.
"Coach had us out there running drills and I was like, dang, there’s only two of us," Jones said after the 20-17 win. "So I mean, hey, you’ve got to thug through it, you’ve got to fight through it. That’s all you gotta do.”
But it's been anything but smooth sailing the past few seasons for TJJ. He made the Saints roster out of camp in 2021 and 2022, but was ultimately waived both times. The timing of that second trip to waivers was notable, with Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny going down with an injury during a game in New Orleans. The Seahawks put a claim in on Jones, so off he went.
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Jones appeared in just four games for Seattle, carrying the ball 8 times for 16 yards before again being waived and landing on the practice squad. This offseason he rejoined Sean Payton with the Broncos, but was among their final cuts. That's when he received a call from Saints RB coach Joel Thomas, gauging his interest in a reunion. It didn't take long for the self-described journeyman to make up his mind.
"I was like, ‘Oh yea, I’m ready to ride back, I don’t care,’ Jones recalled. "I don’t care if I’m on P-squad, active, I was like hey coach, I’m there.”
Thus continued the NFL carousel and the constantly changing landscape of the NFL. It was difficult, but Jones said he's leaned on his "rock" in wife Rebecca -- the pair was married in March, and she's pregnant with their first child. She wasn't at the game, but Jones said the first touchdown ball was for her. She even called after the game to share her excitement about him scoring a touchdown on her birthday, which was technically a few hours after the game ended on Sept. 19.
“I wouldn’t be here without her, I promise you that,” Jones said, getting a bit choked up before returning to the football talk.
There was another souvenir to consider, and it came on a touchdown run late to ice the game. He kept both, but that ball was for him.
"Four years in the league," Jones said, "it takes a while, but hey, it’s here."
What's next? That's a good question. The hamstring injury for Williams is expected to linger and his status for Week 3 is very much in doubt. Rookie Kendre Miller is expected to make his NFL debut, but how big of a role can he take on? Alvin Kamara still has one game left on his suspension, and head coach Dennis Allen has indicated there won't be any additions in the RB room.
All signs point to the Tony Jones Jr. show continuing for another week when the Saints visit the Packers in Green Bay, albeit with a likely heavy dose of Taysom Hill.
“Everybody is so excited for him," said teammate Rashid Shaheed, who got his own start on the practice squad before bursting onto the scene last season. "He had two key runs, two touchdowns. I couldn’t be more excited for him and I hope he carries it on.”