DETROIT -- Southfield, Mich. native Jason Jones had way too much time to watch his hometown Detroit Lions play last season. This year, he's helping them move towards the playoffs.
Jones ruptured his left patellar tendon against the Washington Redskins Sept. 22, 2013, and missed the rest of the season.
In Sunday's 16-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, two plays that Jones made helped make the difference in the game.
The Vikings had a 14-13 lead early in the fourth quarter and were driving, reaching the Lions' 8-yard line before Jones sacked quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for a 10-yard loss.
Instead of 2nd and 8, it was 3rd and 18.
After getting just 10 yards on third down, Vikings kicker Blair Walsh attempted a 26-yard field goal.
The 6-foot-5 Jones got a hand up and blocked the attempt, keeping it a one-point game.
"Early in the game, I had an opportunity to get back there on the first field goal," Jones said. "I think they missed the first one and I got back there pretty easily. Just talking to my special teams coach, if I got the opportunity again, he just told me to attack it, attack it harder. It came at the perfect time. It stopped them from getting 17 points and that helped us out."
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford appreciated the help in a low-scoring affair.
"He was a one-man wrecking crew there," Stafford said.
It was a much better feeling for Jones than last year, watching from the sidelines in street clothes.
"It definitely means a whole lot for me just to be back here," Jones said. "I was out the third game last year so I had to watch them play all last year. Just to be a part of it and contribute, it means a lot to me."
Jones' teammates said it means a lot to them, too.
"I'm extremely happy for him because we're like family and he's my brother," linebacker Tahir Whitehead said. "Just to see how he went out last year, it hurt my heart. To see the success he's having this year, I'm happy for him."
It comes at an exciting time for Jones, who will have his No. 19 jersey retired Monday night during Southfield-Lathrup's boys basketball game.
Jones played tight end and safety in football at Southfield-Lathrup, plus basketball.
"I never imagined that type of thing would happen to me," a grateful Jones said. "Just for them to reach out to me and do this for me, it means a lot."
It also means a lot that the Lions are now 10-4, tied atop the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers.
Growing up in Michigan, Jones has seen his share of Lions' misery.
"I know Joique's (Bell) been here, he's from Michigan, and I'm pretty sure he's seen the Lions over the years, the bad years that they've had," Jones said.
"What we're doing right now, it's all for the city of Detroit right now. We're going to keep this thing going and the sky's the limit."
BUFFETT IN THE HOUSE
Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh had more than just family attending what could possibly be his final home game as a Lion.
Warren Buffett was on the sideline wearing Suh's No. 90 jersey.
"I wouldn't think that Warren Buffett would show up just anytime or anywhere, right?" Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "It's just one of his buddies and he's been mentoring him (Suh). I know they have a close relationship, so maybe this is the only time that he could get here."
Buffett, who is the second wealthiest man in the world, according to Forbes, met Suh through Nebraska's athletic director and former football coach Tom Osborne.
Buffett seemed to be rooting for Suh to remain in Detroit, despite his upcoming free-agent status.
"I hope it isn't his last," Buffett told the Detroit News. "I hope he stays in Detroit. It's his call, obviously. He's a hero in Detroit. He deserves to be one. It's a terrific city, it's on the way back and I just think it'd be great if he sticks around."
INJURIES
The Lions have had their share of injuries this season and Sunday's game was no exception.
Starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle had to be carted off the field with 4:48 left in the third quarter due to a knee injury.
"Obviously, anytime they get carted off you know it's not good, so we'll see," Caldwell said.
Caldwell was asked if he was concerned Waddle's season could be done.
"I'm not certain about that," Caldwell said. "I haven't gotten an update yet."
The Lions don't want to lose Waddle but feel that they can make up for his absence if necessary.
"It's a big loss," center Dominic Raiola said. "That's our guy out there. It sucks for him. We're gonna hurt for him. We're totally confident in 77 (Cornelius Lucas). He's had game experience, I don't know how many weeks this year, and we look at him as a starter. He goes out there and transforms into a starter. I'm happy for him for his opportunity. It sucks for LA, he's gonna recover whatever it is."
Linebacker Ashlee Palmer had a quad injury and cornerback Mohamed Seisay had a hamstring injury during the game.
