Against Titans, Jones showed he’s back at last

DAVIE — Miami safety Reshad Jones exploded off the right edge and corralled Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel for what appeared to be a third-down safety in last Sunday’s Dolphins victory.

Cassel was ruled down at the 1-yard line. But the message was the same.

Jones is back.

“I feel like I’m 18 again,” Jones told The Palm Beach Post on Thursday afternoon.

Jones missed the final 10 games of last season with a rotator-cuff injury, and he conceded in a conversation with The Post before the season that he didn’t yet feel all the way back.

“It’s a long process,” Jones said before the opener against the Chargers. “With the shoulder, I have to keep working it. It’s a long process with the shoulder. It’s one of the worst surgeries you can have, pretty much. So it’s an ongoing process.”

Jones hadn’t felt entirely comfortable in the preseason, and he even uncharacteristically missed a few tackles.

On Sunday, the Jones who earned a five-year, $60 million Dolphins contract was back.

Jones had seven tackles, one quarterback hit, one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown. Vintage stuff.

Jones was the best safety in the NFL in Week 5, according to Pro Football Focus.

“I’m getting more comfortable week in and week out,” Jones said Thursday. “I was out for almost a whole year, so now I’m getting back into myself. I’m feeling a lot better. I’m getting more comfortable with my shoulder. I’m in great shape. I feel like I’m playing the best ball I’ve played in a while.”

Coach Adam Gase noted this week that Jones can change a game with “devastating” hits.

Gase said the entire Dolphins defense, including run defense, has improved with Jones’ return.

“I think the fact that he’s a really good blitzer, and when we pressure him, it’s something that he’s really made some money on,” Gase said. “Just having him back there, the intensity, the way that he goes about his business day in and day out, he’s a true pro . ... Just having him on the field makes a big difference.”

Parker looking doubtful: It’s looking increasingly unlikely the Dolphins will have wide receiver DeVante Parker for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Parker was not on the field for Friday’s practice, staying in the building for treatment on his injured ankle. He has not practiced all week.

If he’s unable to play Sunday, the Dolphins will count on Jakeem Grant (two catches, 11 yards) and Leonte Carroo (no catches) in Parker’s place. Grant played 33 snaps after Parker exited against the Titans last weekend, though Gase said he regretted not giving Carroo a bigger opportunity.

Parker is first on the team with 236 yards receiving and second in receptions with 19. Jay Cutler has targeted him on 28 attempts.

All other players on Miami’s active roster were available to practice Friday. Running back Jay Ajayi (knee), cornerback Byron Maxwell (foot) and center Mike Pouncey (hip) were all on the field.

Phillips says he’ll play: The Dolphins’ defensive line, which has been very good, will get a boost Sunday with the return of Jordan Phillips.

Phillips has been out since hurting his ankle in the season opener but said Friday he feels like himself again and made it clear he’ll play against the Falcons.

“I’ve felt good,” he said. “I felt like I got over the hump this week. I’m in a good place. Strength is good. I’m good.”

Phillips beat out rookie Davon Godchaux for the starting job at the end of the preseason, but Godchaux took over after the injury. The Dolphins have not said which player will start alongside Ndamukong Suh.

Depending on how confident the Dolphins are in Phillips’ health, that could mean rookie Vincent Taylor will be inactive.

Phillips felt good enough to play last week but still wasn’t 100 percent healthy. He’s back to full strength now and thinks his conditioning is where it needs to be after an extra week working at it.

“Yeah, it sucked not being back out there for sure,” he said. “But I couldn’t do anything about it. It’s gonna heal when it heals.”