Jets Work Out Howard Jones

Howard Jones

Free agent pass rusher Howard Jones auditioned for the Jets on Friday, Howard Balzer reports (on Twitter). Wide receivers C.J. Board and Kenny Lawler also tried out, per Balzer.

The only somewhat known commodity here is Jones, who’s two years removed from a productive first season in 2015. Then with the Buccaneers, Jones piled up five sacks across 12 games, five starts and 386 snaps. That type of output was unexpected, as Jones entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Shepherd University in 2014 and didn’t see any on-field time with his first team, the Steelers.

Jones came back to earth last season, registering a lone tackle and no sacks in eight games (no starts, 84 snaps), before suffering a torn ACL in November. The Buccaneers opted against tendering the then-exclusive rights free agent a contract over the winter, and he has drawn scant interest on the open market. The Jets have been eyeing Jones for a while, though, as they met with him in March. The 27-year-old would likely play a 3-4 outside linebacker role with Gang Green after working as a 4-3 defensive end in Tampa Bay.

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