New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Monday that the club has agreed to terms with running back Velus Jones Jr. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
- Velus Jones Jr. brings positional versatility to the Saints. Jones has handled snaps at running back and wide receiver in his NFL career with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. The running back has 20 carries for 165 yards and a touchdown as well as 12 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in 29 career games.
- Jones adds an extensive history as a kick returner. In the NFL, he has returned 40 kickoffs for 1,061 yards (26.5 avg.). He finished his collegiate career with the USC Trojans and the Tennessee Volunteers as the FBS' active career leader in kickoff return yards with 2,973, averaging 24.4 yards per kick return.
- Jones adds a speed element to the Saints as well. The 6-foot, 200-pounder ran a 4.31 in the 2022 NFL Combine, good for the fourth fastest time in the event that year.
- The former Volunteer reunites with former college teammate, Alontae Taylor. The two were also roommates for one of their two seasons in Knoxville together according to Jones.
- A native of Saraland, Ala., Jones tallied 48 receptions for 945 yards with 10 touchdowns in his senior season with the Saraland High School Spartans as well as contributed 172 rushing yards with two touchdowns and two touchdowns on special teams.
New Orleans Saints announced the club has agreed to terms with free agent running back Velus Jones Jr. Check out Jones Jr. in action with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers during his NFL career.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) is chased by Kansas City Chiefs defenders as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park N.Y., Saturday Aug. 10, 2024.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2022.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) returns a kick against the New York Giants during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 27-24.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) scores on a 9-yard touchdown reception ahead of Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 27-24. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Chicago Bears' Velus Jones Jr., returns a kickoff during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Detroit.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs up field during a 42-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. celebrates after scoring on a 42-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones, Jr. (12) stands during player introductions before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Chargers defeated the Bears 30-13.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) walks off the field after the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park N.Y., Saturday Aug. 10, 2024.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs on the field as he wears cleats for the "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Chicago.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) celebrates s touchdown with Tommy Sweeney (47) during the second half of an preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Orchard Park, NY.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. runs for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. walks off the field against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. runs for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs during a pre-season football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis.
