The Jacksonville Jaguars made multiple transactions Friday in addition to releasing running back Carlos Hyde. Those transactions included tendering three exclusive-right free agents in linebacker and defensive end Jamir Jones, linebacker Chapelle Russell, and running back Mekhi Sargent.
We have sent exclusive rights tenders to OLB/DE Jamir Jones, LB Chapelle Russell, and RB Mekhi Sargent. We have released RB Carlos Hyde.https://t.co/I6d7HuZCeI
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) March 11, 2022
Of the three, Russell is the player who saw the most playing time for the Jags. Hew participated in all 16 of their games last season and registered one start for the team as well. Along the way, he was able to garner 18 total tackles, with 10 of them being solo tackles.
Jones and Sargent were late-season additions to the team, and both were claimed off waivers on Dec. 27. That date took place after James Robinson’s Achilles injury and the team had to put 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so the Jags needed both for depth.
In Sargent’s case, the Jags seem interested in seeing if he could stick around after becoming a little more familiar with the team. With the departure of Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale now a pending free agent, the Jags need to find a No. 3 and No. 4 running back, which could potentially be Sargent, although he only registered a carry with Jacksonville.
As for Jones, he played in two games for the Jags and registered two tackles. He initially entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021 with the Houston Texans. He participated in 15 games last season, but most of that time on the field came with the Los Angeles Rams (10 games) and Pittsburgh Steelers (three games).