LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — While roster cutdown day in the NFL is difficult for many whose dreams aren't fulfilled, it also brings great joy and a reason to celebrate for those who make the cut.
Such is the case at Halas Hall, where the Bears are happy for third-year running back/wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., who was in jeopardy of losing his place with the team entering training camp. Instead, the 27-year-old Jones solidified his roster spot by shifting from wide receiver to running back as the Bears aim to revitalize his usage.
Jones is officially listed on the Bears' roster as a wide receiver, but the team plans to utilize his versatility in its offense. Jones proved he can be reliable in a running back role during training camp.
“He made it just by his efforts and the production he had in practice, in the preseason games,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday. “And his willingness to be able to adjust and adapt and be able to get that done in terms of his performance.
“It comes down to him being able to do it and his willingness to want to and the work ethic. So he’s going to be a guy for us that we can use him multiple ways. We can use him in the backfield. We can spread him out. We can do a lot of different things with him, and that’s to me a benefit.
“To try to defend that when he comes in the game is a little bit different than just a normal type of receiver or a guy that can line up in the backfield. I think it creates a little bit of time-on-task practice-wise for the opponent and also preparation-wise in the film study.”
A third-round pick of the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones struggled to produce as a wide receiver in his first two NFL seasons. He has just 11 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in his career while adding 17 rushes for 154 yards, primarily on end-around handoffs.
In other news Wednesday, the Bears will place long snapper Patrick Scales (back) on injured reserve. The team plans to re-sign fullback Khari Blasingame back to the roster.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.