It was a forgettable first two NFL seasons for former Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the NFL. Drops were a major problem for Jones who caught just 11 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown in his first two professional seasons.
With Jones drop problems and the Bears adding talent to their receiver room this offseason, Chicago moved Jones to running back and is trying to make the roster at that spot during training camp.
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Jones got off to a good start at the running back spot in the Bears first preseason game on Saturday afternoon. The former Tennessee standout rushed for 34 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Jones four-yard touchdown run gave Chicago a 13-3 second quarter lead against Buffalo on its way to a 33-6 blowout victory.
.@VelusJr runs it in for the TD 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/qPnN0Rw7Cv
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 10, 2024
Jones played two seasons at Tennessee after playing his first three seasons at Southern Cal. The Mobile, Alabama native had a lackluster 2020 season under head coach Jeremy Pruitt, catching 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
But Jones had a breakout season under first-year head coach Josh Heupel. Starting in the slot, Jones caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. Jones move to running back makes sense because of how good he was running after the catch during his Tennessee career.
Quick passes to Jones in the screen game was a staple of Tennessee’s offense during the 2021 season and he’s been the best run after catch receiver during Heupel’s tenure as head coach.
