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Free-agent T Levi Jones set to benefit from injuries

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Alex Marvez

Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He has covered the NFL for the past 17 seasons as a beat writer and is the former president of the Pro Football Writers of America. He also is a frequent host on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

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Updated Aug 4, 2009 7:49 PM ET
     
 
Levi Jones is set to benefit from other people's pain. Jones — who is regarded as the NFL's top free-agent tackle — should be in high demand after a recent rash of injuries at the position. Oakland's Khalif Barnes (ankle), Washington's Stephon Heyer (knee) and Baltimore's Adam Terry (knee/injured reserve) already have gone down in the first week of training camp. Barnes could be out until the season opener; Heyer's status wasn't immediately known after he was injured in Tuesday's Redskins practice. Seattle's Walter Jones also has missed practice time with back spasms. At 35, this perennial Pro Bowl selection isn't a sure thing to return after undergoing offseason microfracture knee surgery. Seattle also had shown interest in Levi Jones earlier in the offseason. Levi Jones, who turns 30 later this month, was cut by Cincinnati shortly after the Bengals selected Alabama's Andre Smith with the No. 6 overall pick in April's draft. Jones, a high first-round choice himself in 2002, had started 89 career games for the Bengals in seven seasons. Jones also is reportedly drawing interest from Arizona where Mike Gandy and Levi Brown are the starting tackles. Gandy struggled in Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh and is set to earn a $5 million base salary in 2009; Brown's starting position is considered safe. Other free-agent tackles who may appear on needy teams' radars include ex-Eagle Jon Runyan, ex-49er Jonas Jennings and ex-Bear Fred Miller. Tackle isn't the only position bit by the injury bug early in the preseason. Key players who already have suffered likely season-ending injuries include Carolina defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (Achilles' tendon), Philadelphia middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (knee) and Cincinnati tight end Reggie Kelly. Big-name free agents who remained unsigned include linebacker Derrick Brooks, quarterback Michael Vick, running back Edgerrin James and wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Ex-Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer signed Tuesday with Kansas City.
Tagged: Ravens, Derrick Brooks, Levi Jones, Cardinals, Raiders, Michael Vick, Stewart Bradley, Stephon Heyer, Khalif Barnes, Maake Kemoeatu, Amani Toomer, Walter Jones, Bengals, Andre Smith, Eagles, Adam Terry, Seahawks, Mike Gandy, Edgerrin James, Redskins, Levi Brown, Panthers, Jon Runyan

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