Jones is expected to serve as the Saints' No. 2 running back Thursday against the Cowboys with Mark Ingram (knee) in line to start in his return from a one-game absence, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Alvin Kamara (knee) sits atop the Saints' depth chart and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game, but Jane Slater and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier in the day that the 26-year-old will ultimately be sidelined for a fourth straight game while he contends with a sprained MCL. The Saints won't officially confirm Kamara's status until he's included on the team's inactive list that will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff, but his absence likely won't be enough to ensure Jones maintains a big role on offense. Jones started in last week's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bills and carried a team-high 16 times for 27 yards, but he was afforded the opportunity only because Ingram joined Kamara on the inactive list. With Ingram having since returned to practice in full capacity this week, he'll be in the clear to serve in a lead role out of the Saints' backfield, just as he did in the first two games that Kamara missed. Jones was available for the second of those two contests, but he played just 10 snaps on offense and finished with three carries for two yards in the Saints' 40-29 loss to the Eagles in Week 11.