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Panthers signing former Tennessee, USC star WR Velus Jones Jr.

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra12/10/24SamraSource
Velus Jones
Velus Jones (Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images)

As Velus Jones Jr. tries to find his footing in the NFL, he’s headed to a new city — the Carolina Panthers are signing him off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, according to FOX’s Jordan Schultz.

“Source: The #Panthers are signing RB/WR/KR Velus Jones Jr. from the #Jaguars practice squad to their active roster,” Schultz reported.

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Jones joined the Jaguars after the Chicago Bears released him earlier during the 2024 campaign. The former USC and Tennessee standout had an up-and-down go during his time with the Bears.

The Bears selected Jones in the third round out of Tennessee in the 2022 NFL Draft. He served as the top target for Hendon Hooker on Rocky Top as a senior, totaling 807 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as well as one kickoff return touchdown that year. He also spent four years at USC, where he had 347 receiving yards and a touchdown to go with a kickoff return score.

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Jones played both wide receiver and kick returner in Chicago, although he struggled in the latter phase. He had three fumbles during his first year with the Bears and had another one in the season opener this year against the Tennessee Titans, leading the franchise to move on from Jones as its return man.

This year, though, Jones was making a position switch. Because of his speed, the Bears tried him at running back during the preseason – which turned into a major storyline on Hard Knocks. But as the season got underway, Jones’ role started to diminish and he found himself as a healthy scratch multiple times before his release.

All told, during his three seasons in Chicago, Jones had 135 receiving yards and a touchdown along with 165 rushing yards and a touchdown in the running game. The Bears waived him before eventually granting his release ahead of a Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Now, he’ll be hoping to rejuvenate his career in the Queen City, as Velus Jones Jr. is headed to the Carolina Panthers.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.