The Chargers released wide receiver/return man Jacoby Jones, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jones, 31, signed a two-year, $5.5MM deal with the Bolts back in March. Jones will still collect a healthy $2.5MM portion of his deal.
Through the midway point of the season, Jones did not come close to delivering on his free agent deal. The veteran has returned five punts for a grand total of -4 yards. On Sunday, he opted against a fair catch at the 19-yard line and watched a punt roll to the three. That could have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, though Jones has been pretty abysmal overall.
The Chargers have just one punt return yard through eight games, second-worst in NFL history and worst since 1972, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego notes. Wide receiver Javontee Herndon, recently promoted to the 53-man roster, seems like a candidate to take Jones’ place as punt returner.
I am surprised the Ravens didn’t immediately target Jones to return, especially considering how much Joe Flacco had struggled this season, particularly in pushing the ball down the field. Jones had never been a great receiving option, but his familiarity with Flacco and veteran presence should be welcome, even in what seems to be a lost season.