NEW ORLEANS — Chad Jones visited with his Giants teammates Sunday night at the team hotel and admitted the experience nearly overwhelmed him when he saw and greeted Brandon Jacobs and Corey Webster, who are Louisiana natives and befriended Jones when he arrived with the Giants as a 2010 third-round draft pick from LSU.
“My eyes were a little watered up when I saw those guys,’’ Jones said.
Jones was back with the team that drafted him, a year and a half after a horrific car accident nearly cost him his life and his left leg. Jones, a native of New Orleans, ran through the tunnel with the Giants last night before their 49-24 loss to the Saints and watched from the sideline for the first time as he continues his remarkable comeback.
Jones, who never played for the Giants, is rehabbing from the one-car accident, which occurred on June 25, 2010. He rammed his car into a light pole and nearly bled to death at the scene.
After missing two seasons, Jones is hoping for a comeback in 2012 either at safety — his natural position — or linebacker.
“It could be overwhelming, my first time on the sideline for a professional game,’’ Jones said.
Jones, who looked trim, said he’s down to 225 pounds, adding muscle, and is running the 40 in the 4.7 range. That’s remarkable progress after his left leg was so badly damaged that it nearly was amputated.
Seeing his teammates, he said, was extra motivation to join them on the field.
“It’s something to look forward to and think hard about tomorrow when I’m working out,’’ Jones said. “It will make things seem much better.’’
Jones caught up with several players; Jason Pierre-Paul was briefly his roommate during a rookie mini-camp. Jones also chatted on the field with Giants co-owner John Mara.
“He told me I’m looking great, looking better than ever,’’ Jones said.