Jaguars to sign veteran WR Velus Jones to reinforce position

Jacksonville just lost Christian Kirk for the season and is expected to be without emerging rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for a bit. As a result, the recently cut Bears receiver/returner/recent running back will head to Duval County.

Never taking off with Chicago, Jones received his walking papers late last week. Best known for his return-game work, Jones caught just 12 passes with the Bears. An offseason running back experiment did not lead to a long runway, as the Bears moved on with 1 1/2 seasons remaining on his rookie contract. That deal has since wrapped, with no team claiming Jones on waivers.

Jones worked as the Bears’ primary kick returner as a rookie and again in 2023, averaging more than 27 yards per return in both seasons. Jones ranked seventh and fifth in kick-return yards in 2022 and ’23, respectively, with 607 and 435 yards. 

The Bears did not make him their returner following this offseason’s radical change to the kickoff; Jones returned just one kick this season. He did not factored into the Bears’ punt-return mix prominently throughout his Windy City stay.

Rushing for a touchdown as a rookie, Jones only logged two carries following this Bears offensive staff’s effort to try him in the backfield. The Jaguars have a greater need at receiver, with Kirk suffering a broken collarbone in Week 8 and Thomas encountering a groin injury. 

Gabe Davis remains a healthy option among Jags starters, and the team also rosters second-year cog Parker Washington and fourth-year UDFA Tim Jones. But roster adjustments will be needed soon; Jones now represents part of that equation.