The Panthers will sign Jones off Jacksonville's practice squad Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Jones, who was waived by Chicago in late October, now gets a spot on Carolina's 53-man roster. With Jonathon Brooks (knee) lost for the season and Raheem Blackshear (chest) at risk of missing Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Jones could be needed to fill a depth role at running back for Carolina, despite having taken most of his snaps on offense as a receiver through his first three seasons in the league. The 2022 third-round pick will also be in the mix to step in as the Panthers' kickoff and punt returner if Blackshear is sidelined.
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Velus Jones: Reverts to practice squad
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Jones reverted to the Jaguars' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Jones was elevated to the Jaguars' active roster ahead of Sunday's loss to the Lions for the first time since joining Jacksonville's practice squad in late October. However, the 2022 third-round pick didn't play a single snap, despite being active. He's appeared in one game with the Bears this season, catching his only target for eight yards and carrying the ball twice for 11 yards.
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Jaguars' Velus Jones: Elevated by Jags for Week 11
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The Jaguars elevated Jones from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Jones started the regular season on the Bears' active roster, but outside of Week 1, he was a healthy scratch before being waived Oct. 25. The 2022 third-round pick signed with Jacksonville's practice squad four days later, and he'll likely make his Jaguars debut against the Lions on Sunday.
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Velus Jones: Headed to Duval
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The Jaguars signed Jones to the practice squad Tuesday.
Jones was waived by the Bears on Friday after being a healthy scratch in each of Chicago's last six regular-season games. The 2022 third-round pick will look to take advantage of his new opportunity with the Jaguars, who need additional depth at wide receiver after Christian Kirk fractured his collarbone during Sunday's loss to the Packers. With rookie wideout Brian Thomas (chest) considered day-to-day, Jones has a chance to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
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Velus Jones: Waived by Bears
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Chicago waived Jones on Friday.
Jones played 16 snaps (four on offense, 12 on special teams) in Week 1 against the Titans, and he finished that contest with two carries for 11 yards and one catch for eight yards. He has been a healthy scratch across the Bears' last six games, however, and Chicago has opted to move on from the 2022 third-round pick. Assuming he clears waivers, Jones could stick around and sign with the Bears' practice squad or explore his options elsewhere.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Remains healthy scratch
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Jones (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Panthers.
Jones' streak of being inactive appeared to have a chance to end with DeAndre Carter dealing with a rib injury. However, with Carter suiting up, the Tennessee product will be sidelined once again.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Not playing again
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Jones (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Rams.
Jones has been a healthy scratch since suiting up Week 1 against the Titans. His next opportunity to play will be Week 5 against the Panthers.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Healthy scratch again
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Jones (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Colts.
Jones was a healthy scratch in Week 2 as well, after suiting up for a minimal role in Week 1. He'll now work to have the opportunity to be on the field in Week 4 against the Rams.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Three touches in victory
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Jones rushed twice for 11 yards while catching an eight-yard pass in the Bears' 24-17 win over the Titans on Sunday.
After an impressive preseason in which Jones was effective as a running back, he served in the committee with Khalil Herbert and Travis Homer behind starter D'Andre Swift. Although it appears that Jones may be in line to see snaps on offense, he may need to separate himself from the other backup running backs if he is going to have reliable fantasy value.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Stars as lead running back
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Jones rushed 13 times for 111 yards and a touchdown and secured both targets for 11 yards in the Bears' 34-21 preseason win over the Chiefs on Thursday night.
Jones recorded a game-high yardage total on the ground with the help of a 39-yard scoring scamper, seeing his most extensive action as a running back yet this preseason. The converted wide receiver appears to have acclimated nearly seamlessly to the position change, but it's presently difficult to ascertain exactly how Jones may fit in a crowded running back room if he indeed makes the final roster. However, were one of Roschon Johnson or Khalil Herbert to be traded before the start of the regular season, Jones could make for an intriguing change-of-pace back alongside whichever of the two remains and lead back D'Andre Swift.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Concludes second season in Chicago
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Jones was not targeted but posted 113 kick-return yards in the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
After being selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, Jones has not become a regular part of Chicago's offense. On the season, he caught four passes for 20 yards to go with eight rushes for 51 yards. Although Jones has two years remaining on his rookie contract, he could be battling for a roster spot in 2024.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Continues to see light usage
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Jones rushed once for four yards in the Bears' 27-16 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
In addition to his lone rushing attempt, Jones failed to corral his only target. With 11 offensive touches on the season, Jones' low scoring floor and lack of upside will keep him from being a reliable fantasy option unless his role changes.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Best game of season
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Jones rushed twice for 15 yards and caught a five-yard pass in the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.
Jones came into this game with two rushing attempts for seven yards on the season, so his 20 yards was easily his best offensive effort of the year. He'll need to build on his usage before he can be considered a reliable fantasy option.
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Bears' Velus Jones: One rushing attempt in loss
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Jones rushed once for 10 yards in the Bears' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Jones' biggest contribution to the Bears is on special teams. He's yet to see a pass target this season, but he now has two rushing attempts. His current role is unlikely to result in significant fantasy production.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Will sit out season opener
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Jones was ruled a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
Jones dealt with an undisclosed injury throughout training camp and was on the fringe of making Chicago's final 53-man roster ahead of the regular season. While he is now listed as healthy, the 2022 third-round pick won't get to see the field Week 1, as Tyler Scott and/or Trent Taylor will likely handle return duties on special teams while also slotting into reserve roles behind starting wideouts DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. Equanimeous St. Brown was also ruled a healthy scratch Week 1, as it's likely he and Jones will be on the outside looking in on Chicago's wide receiver room this season.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Misses practice Thursday
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Jones (undisclosed) was absent from Thursday's joint practice with the Colts, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
It's not clear what caused Jones to miss the joint practice session, but Bears head coach Matt Eberflus stated that the wideout/kick returner isn't dealing with a serious injury and is with the team in Indianapolis. Jones had a rough preseason opener last week and may need to show improvement the rest of the way to earn a roster spot. If he does make the team, the 26-year-old is expected to work as the Bears' top kick returner while filling just a minimal role on offense.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Fighting for roster spot
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Jones muffed a punt in the Bears' first preseason game, and he may be battling to earn a roster spot, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
After Jones' miscue on the punt return, the coaching staff called it a teachable moment. But after a number of costly mistakes on special teams, the 2022 third-round pick may need a strong close to camp to lock down a roster spot. Jones was drafted because of his speed and potential as a returner, and he's not expected to be in consideration for any of the top-four receiver spots.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Usage increases late in season
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Jones rushed for a 42-yard touchdown in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown along with nine carries for 103 yards and another touchdown over 12 games played.
Jones was at his best as a kick returner during his rookie season. On offense, he didn't have more than two touches in any game, though he did play more than 15 offensive snaps for the first time all season during Weeks 15 and 16, when he averaged 34 snaps. Although he'll likely remain the team's top kick returner next year, he may also see his role in the offense expand. He's under contract through 2025.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Quiet in losing effort
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Jones rushed once for 13 yards in the Bears' 41-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Jones was also targeted once, though the pass fell incomplete. Aside from his kick-return duties, Jones has just six receptions and eight rushing attempts on the season, and his lack of volume will make him tough to trust in Week 18 fantasy lineups.
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Bears' Velus Jones: Handles two rushing attempts
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Jones rushed twice for six yards in the Bears' 31-10 loss to the Jets on Sunday.
Jones has 45 rushing yards and 24 receiving yards this season, and his biggest impact is as a kick returner. Aside from leagues that include kick return yardage, Jones has yet to become a fantasy factor as a receiver.
