With running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear currently nursing a chest injury, the Carolina Panthers may be looking to strengthen their skills on special teams this week.
According to FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Panthers are signing wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to their active roster. The 27-year-old speedster, who has experience as both a kick and punt returner, has been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad since late October.
Source: The #Panthers are signing RB/WR/KR Velus Jones Jr. from the #Jaguars practice squad to their active roster. pic.twitter.com/xk7ObpUGxI
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 10, 2024
The Mobile, Ala. native split his six-year collegiate career between the University of Southern California (2016 to 2019) and the University of Tennessee (2020 to 2021). He’d come out of the college ranks with a number of honors—including a Second-Team All-Pac 12 nod in 2019 as well as a First-Team All-SEC nod and a share of the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year award in 2021.
Jones Jr. would then be selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He’d appear in 27 games for Chicago between 2022 and 2024—totaling 135 receiving yards and 165 rushing yards while averaging 26.7 yards per kick return (39 attempts) and 7.0 yards per punt return (five attempts).
The Bears, who tried to transition Jones Jr. to the running back position at the start of this season, eventually released him on Oct. 25.
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