The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to a one-year deal. Jones is a former third-round pick of the Chicago Bears from 2022. He was never able to make much of an impact in Chicago and was waived by the team in October. Jones finished out last season with the Carolina Panthers, but he didn't see much of the field over there. He'll compete for a spot on the 53-man roster in training camp and could serve as a depth option or kick returner if he's able to make the team.
Panthers Sign Velus Jones Jr. From Jaguars Practice Squad
The Carolina Panthers signed wide receiver/running back Velus Jones Jr. to the active roster from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 27-year-old was a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022 out of Tennessee and totaled just 135 receiving yards and 165 rushing yards in two-plus seasons with the organization. It will be interesting to see what plans Carolina has for him, as the team could use help and wide receiver and running back. Ball carriers Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Raheem Blacksheer (chest) were both injured in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Either way, it would be a surprise if Jones ends up on the fantasy football radar.
The Jacksonville Jaguars added depth to their wide receiver room on Tuesday by signing Velus Jones Jr. Jones began the season with the Chicago Bears but was released prior to Week 8. He had appeared in one game this season. With wide receiver Christian Kirk (collarbone) done for the season and Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) potentially out for a few weeks, the Jaguars needed to add depth at the position. Jones brings an element of speed that would help the Jaguars push the ball downfield. However, Jones has never been able to push for significant playing time in his three-year career. While he does have a chance to make an impact given all the Jaguars' injuries, it feels unlikely that this move will wind up being a significant one for the team. Expect him to remain buried on the depth chart for the time being.
Velus Jones Jr. A Healthy Scratch For Sunday Night Football
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. There was a chance Jones' services would be needed for this one. However, while Keenan Allen (heel) won't play, the team at least has Rome Odunze (knee) active for Week 2. Either way, Jones likely wouldn't have seen much attention from fantasy managers. Tight end Cole Kmet will probably benefit the most with Allen being inactive on Sunday night, with Tyler Scott and DeAndre Carter battling for WR3 duties behind DJ Moore and Odunze.
Velus Jones Jr. Does Most Damage On The Ground In Preseason Win
Chicago Bears wide receiver/running back Velus Jones Jr. led the team in rushing in the team's preseason finale against Kansas City. The converted wide receiver is getting more looks in the backfield during training camp. He made the most of his opportunities Thursday night, tallying 13 carries for 111 yards. That included a 39-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Jones also caught two passes for 11 yards. The 2022 third-round pick has yet to make an impact at wide receiver, so the move may be enough for him to make the final roster. He also projects to be Chicago's primary kick returner in 2024.
Bears Experimenting With Velus Jones Jr. As A Running Back
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. entered training camp on the roster bubble, although many expect the third-year wideout to be the team's starting kick returner in 2024. In an effort to be more versatile to the team, Jones agreed to spend this week of practice as a running back. He's spent most of camp to this point with the second-team offense while DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze and Tyler Scott take first-team reps. The 27-year-old's route-running has been erratic in his first two years in the NFL, so switching to RB is the team's creative attempt to unlock his big-play ability. Jones' return abilities on special teams will likely be enough to earn him a spot on the 53-man roster for the regular season, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't be expecting much else in what is now a stacked receiver corps in Chicago.
Velus Jones Jr. Should Benefit From New Kickoff Rules
Chicago Bears wide receiver/return man Velus Jones Jr. should only benefit from the new kickoff rules in the NFL that will start for the 2024 season. "How it pertains to our team, you can only think about a guy like Velus Jones. Great example," special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said. "A guy like that with his type of skill set, with the speed and the power that he has, and he's coming full speed ahead at you, it's like a damn freight train running at you." Jones' average of 27.4 yards per return trails only Keisean Nixon over the last two years. He hasn't worked out as a punt returner and also hasn't had much of a role in the offense since entering the league in 2022, but the 27-year-old's size/speed combo could come in handy for the Bears on kickoffs this year. The Bears could also use running back Khalil Herbert on kickoffs.
Chicago Bears wide receivers Velus Jones Jr. (illness) and Tyler Scott (hamstring) are officially active for Week 14 versus the Detroit Lions. They had been listed as questionable. Jones has been disappointing in his second pro season, amassing just three catches for nine yards. Meanwhile, Scott has 10 catches for 81 yards. Neither player belongs on the fantasy radar this Sunday.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. caught one of his two targets for 28 yards and added a 42-yard rushing touchdown in a 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18. Jones did an impressive job staying inbounds on his touchdown run, which came on an end-around in the second quarter. The 2022 third-round pick wraps up his rookie season with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown while he added another 103 yards and a score on the ground across 12 games. The Bears will certainly be looking for more out of Jones heading into 2023, although wide receiver is a position that the team is likely to address in the offseason.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. caught two passes for a team-high 52 yards in the team's 35-13 loss to the Bills in Week 16. The rookie's season to this point has been nothing short of disaster as ball security issues have been made him mostly unplayable all season. But Jones Jr. was able to flash his speed on some impressive kickoff return runs in this game and then delivered the Bears biggest splash play of the day, springing free for a 44-yard gain. Jones Jr. has been a bust this season but will have a chance to end his season on a high note over the final two weeks of the season.
Velus Jones Jr.
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