Former LSU star Chad Jones celebrated a long-awaited homecoming Tuesday as he was released from a New York hospital and traveled home to the Big Easy from the Big Apple.Jones left the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan to return to New Orleans to rest for several weeks, according to a New York Giants press release.The LSU two-sport athlete has undergone many surgical procedures to his left leg and ankle at the Manhattan hospital after getting into a car accident June 25 on Carrollton Avenue.Jones was initially treated at the LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans before being transferred to the Manhattan hospital, where he will return for further surgery after recuperating in his hometown.”Chad is in great spirits and excited to be getting out of the hospital,” said Giants vice president of medical services Ronnie Barnes in the release. “All has gone well thus far for Chad, and he will return in probably six to eight weeks for another surgical procedure.”LSU football coach Les Miles commented Friday about his former safety at SEC Media Days.”Chad Jones will eventually be fine,” Miles said. “I suspect that he will be able to play in the NFL.”Jones started 19 games with 158 tackles in his three-season football career and was a reliever and outfielder for the baseball team in 2009.The safety chose to forego his senior season at LSU and declared to the NFL draft, where he was selected by the Giants in the third round.”We would love to have him back in Baton Rouge, let him continue and go to school and work out for us,” Miles said. “I think maybe that’s part of the plan, but certainly, you know, we wish him the very best.”Senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard said he got the news from Jones’ brother after receiving many text messages and phones calls the morning of the wreck.”I was hurt,” Sheppard said. “That was one of my good friends. We went everywhere together.”Sheppard visited Jones in New Orleans the next day and was encouraged by seeing him in good spirits.”We were very close,” Sheppard said. “Everybody always thought we looked alike.”Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson may not share the dreadlocks of Sheppard and Jones, but the cornerback was equally affected by the news of Jones’ accident.”It hurt,” Peterson said. “I just texted him a couple days before that. I texted him, ‘Happy Father’s Day.'”Peterson said Jones will overcome his injuries and make a return to the football field.”Chad’s going to be OK,” Peterson said. “He has that demeanor. I see Chad playing for the Giants.”
 
 
 
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