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Jones averaged 11.4 yards on punt returns and 24.0 yards on KO returns for the Carolina Panthers in 2008.
Jones, a former Tennessee Volunteer, has five previous years of NFL experience, including one season with the New York Giants (2004), three campaigns with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-07) and one with the Panthers (2008). He also spent training camp in 2008 with the San Diego Chargers.
Jones (5-9, 185) has played in 59 career regular season games. His statistics include 156 punt returns for 1,460 yards, an average of 9.4 yards per attempt, and he also boasts a 24.2-yard average (1,405 yards) on 58 career kickoff returns.
In 2008, his 11.4-yard punt return average ranked third in the NFC and seventh in the NFL, and his kickoff return average of 24.0 yards was the best by a Panthers returner since 2001 (Steve Smith). Additionally, Jones posted the first two receptions of his career for a total of 32 yards.
At the University of Tennessee, Jones played wide receiver and safety in addition to his return duties. In 49 games, he caught 36 passes for 556 yards and five touchdowns on offense and added four interceptions on defense. In the return game, he collected 46 punt returns for 543 yards (11.8 avg.) and four kickoff returns for 138 yards with one touchdown.
The 28-year-old Jones, a native of Wallingford, Pa., was originally selected by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
