The Arizona Cardinals activated receiver Zay Jones to the 53-man roster on Monday after he missed the first six games of the season. He was suspended on a personal conduct violation for the first five games and wasn’t prepared to play a sixth game Sunday after ramping up on the practice fields last week.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Jones looked in practice Wednesday before Arizona limited the receiver Thursday and Friday. It listed Jones with a hamstring injury later in the week.
Jones was available to practice before landing on the 53-man roster because of a commissioner’s exemption.
“Good to get him out there, looked good,” Gannon said Friday. “We’re going to be smart with him. He’s not going to go this week (against Green Bay) but he’s trending in the right direction.”
The NFL suspended Jones Aug. 23 before the Cardinals’ roster was reduced to 53 players.
The receiver was arrested and booked into jail for domestic battery after an incident involving the mother of his child in November.
Misdemeanor charges were dropped in March by the Florida state attorney’s office.
Jones signed a one-year deal with Arizona worth up to a reported $4.3 million. His salary cap hit is $1.7 million.
In nine games with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, Jones nabbed 34 catches on 64 targets for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He set career highs a year before that with 82 catches and 823 yards.
Jones joins a roster that needs help at receiver, especially with No. 1 wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. going down against the Packers on Sunday with a concussion.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.