Jones hurt his shoulder in action for the Lions against Japan in June, but he made a remarkable recovery to lead the side in their Test series with South Africa.
The 36-year-old then dislocated the same shoulder against New Zealand at Principality Stadium on October 30 when he collided with Jordie Barrett of the All Blacks.
Jones has already had one operation since then, but a second is needed.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth believes Jones will play again at some point this season.
Booth said of Jones: “He has had one operation and he needs a second, so we won’t really know [what happens] until the second one is done which is in a couple of weeks.
“We will see where that is and what that gives us. With all the best scans in the world, until you get in there, you don’t really know.
“But he is very confident and that’s Al for you. We will put everything around him to make his recovery as quick as possible.
“He is [confident he will play again this season]. The worst thing you can say to Al is that he won’t do something.
“He has got the attitude and mindset and that’s what sets him apart from a lot of other people. We will get him back as fast as his mind and his body allows. We are pretty confident about that.”
The Ospreys also have Jones’ fellow Wales internationals Justin Tipuric, George North and Dan Lydiate on the injured list. Hooker Dewi Lake is also out too.
Flanker Tipuric hasn’t played this season after suffering a shoulder problem with the Lions against Japan. Booth believes Tipuric will be back by Christmas.
“He has been training with us in non-contact stuff, so we believe he is on track,” Booth said of Tipuric.
Wing or centre North suffered an anterior cruciate ligament problem in April.
Booth believes North could be back fit for the Six Nations.
“Often with long-term injuries, the first thing is the surgery success,” Booth said.
“Then you get quite a steep improvement and then it’s the final third of their rehab where it ebbs and flows, depending on how they react,” Booth said.
Booth also revealed Wales lock Adam Beard won’t play against Connacht this weekend after suffering a nasty head-on-head collision with Australia’s Rob Valetini.
It was an injury which forced Beard from the field as Wales beat the Wallabies 29-28. Valetini was sent off for the tackle.
“When you see something like that, the first concern is whether he’s OK,” Booth said.
“I was in contact with Adam in the evening and he was quite coherent.
“He got a nice black eye and a lot of stitches but is recovering well. He is on a down week and won’t be involved this weekend for obvious reasons, especially on a short turnaround.
“He is safe and healthy with his family. It’s just a head injury assessment recovery and some external damage.”
