Taiwan Jones (RB) - Pro Football Rumors

Bills Re-Sign Taiwan Jones, Travaris Cadet

March 16th, 2018 at 8:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they have re-signed a pair of running backs. Taiwan Jones and Travaris Cadet are both ticketed to return for 2018.

With both players back in the fold, the Bills currently have six running backs under contract. Needless to say, not all of them will be on the team in September. They will, however, duke it out between now and final cuts.

LeSean McCoy, coming off of his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, will be the primary ball carrier for his fourth season in Buffalo. As of this writing, new free agent pickup Chris Ivory figures to serve as his primary backup, as shown on Roster Resource. Marcus Murphy and Aaron Green are also in the mix and the Bills could still look to add to the RB group in April’s draft.

In other Bills news, offensive lineman Richie Incognito reworked his contract on Thursday, allowing him to stay with the team.

Bills Sign RB Travaris Cadet

November 4th, 2017 at 10:15am CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are swapping running backs. Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed Travaris Cadet and placed Taiwan Jones on the injured reserve. We learned earlier this week that Jones had a broken arm and would miss the rest of the season.

Jones joined Buffalo this past offseason, and after compiling 829 return yards in 2015, the team was expecting the 29-year-old to contribute on special teams. However, the former fourth-rounder only returned a pair of kicks this season, and he hauled in a lone 11-yard reception.

Cadet was signed by the Jets in late September, but he was ultimately released by the team last week. The 28-year-old saw the field in three games this season, compiling three receptions for 26 yards. The veteran could conceivably play a similar role as Jones, as Cadet has plenty of experience in the return game. He’ll slot in behind LeSean McCoy and Mike Tolbert on the running back depth chart.

Bills’ Taiwan Jones Done For Season

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Taiwan Jones‘ season is over. Bills coach Sean McDermott informed reporters on Friday morning that the running back and key special teamer is going on injured reserve with a broken arm.

Jones, 29, joined up with the Bills this summer after he was released by the Raiders. He didn’t come with a lengthy offensive resume, but he did have lots of experience in the third facet of the game. Last year, he was seventh among Raiders players in special teams snaps, and he’s not far removed from leading the AFC in kick return yards (829) in 2015.

This year, Jones appeared in all eight games as a special teamer. He returned two kicks for a total of 50 yards and had one reception on offense.

Bills To Sign Taiwan Jones

August 2nd, 2017 at 4:21pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Bills have agreed to a deal with running back Taiwan Jones, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

The 29-year-old Jones came available when the Raiders released him last Thursday, thus ending a lengthy tenure in Oakland. Jones entered the NFL as the Raiders’ fourth-round pick in 2011 and went on to appear in 66 regular-season games with the club over the first six years of his career. He wasn’t much of a factor on offense as a Raider, with whom he totaled only 44 rushes and 17 catches, but Jones was an important cog on special teams. He was seventh among Raiders in special teams snaps just last year (241), and he’s only two seasons removed from leading the AFC in kick return yards (829).

In Buffalo, Jones will join LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Mike Tolbert and Joe Banyard as the team’s contingent at running back. Jones’ history indicates that if he’s going to make the Bills, he’ll do it as a special teamer. The Bills’ special teams unit was among the league’s worst last year, according to Football Outsiders.

Raiders Cut RB Taiwan Jones

July 27th, 2017 at 1:44pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders are releasing running back Taiwan Jones, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). With upwards of four years of service, Jones is a veteran and will not be subject to waivers. He will be free to sign with any club once he is formally cut loose.

Jones, 29, started out with the Raiders as a running back after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft. The team had him switch to cornerback for a time, but he was moved back to running back for the 2015 season.

Still, he’s had only 44 carries in his six years with the club. Jones has primarily been a special teams guy for Oakland, but he even saw his return work slashed in 2016. Jones returned 26 kicks for the Raiders in 2013 and 31 kicks in 2015. Last year, he did just eight kick returns with a lackluster 14.0 yards per attempt average.

With Jones out of the picture, the Raiders appear ready to move forward with Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, and rookie Elijah Hood as the backups for Marshawn Lynch.

AFC Notes: S. Brown, Texans, Pats, Titans

April 22nd, 2015 at 1:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent safety Stevie Brown, who is said to be close to deciding on where to sign, visited the Texans yesterday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Houston already signed one free agent safety this offseason, adding Rahim Moore, so we’ll see if the club makes a play for Brown, who may prefer the Giants if everything is equal.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Georgia running back Todd Gurley is in New England today to meet with the Patriots, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Gurley is widely considered a strong bet to come off the board in the first round, so he may not last until the Pats’ pick at the very end of the first.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk doesn’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that the Titans would draft a wide receiver with the second overall pick next Thursday.
The Broncos are hosting Florida offensive lineman D.J. Humphries and Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on pre-draft visits today, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
Offensive lineman Chris Hairston got a $25K bonus on his new minimum salary deal with the Chargers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Taiwan Jones, who started his career with the Raiders as a running back before moving to cornerback in 2013, will return to running back this year, according to Oakland’s official site. Whether he’s listed on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, Jones contributes primarily as a special teamer.
Intriguing Hobart guard Ali Marpet is visiting the Browns today, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

AFC West Notes: Brown, Chargers, Raiders

April 21st, 2015 at 6:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Coach Jack Del Rio says Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree is eager “to create a role” for himself with his new club, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. Crabtree had a down year in 2014, but still recorded 68 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns. Now, after hanging around on the shelf for a while, he’ll look to rebuild his value in Oakland. Here’s more from the AFC West..

Free agent running back Ronnie Brown told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he hasn’t heard from the Chargers about a potential reunion. “I haven’t talked to the Chargers about a return. They have a bunch of running backs and are looking for a running back in the draft,” Brown said.
Brown went on to say (link) that he doesn’t get the sense that quarterback Philip Rivers is headed elsewhere. When considering the production that Rivers provides and San Diego’s young offense, Brown doesn’t see the signal caller leaving the Chargers.
The Raiders shifted around their depth chart a bit, sliding Taiwan Jones from cornerback back to his native position of running back, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. Former coach Dennis Allen put Jones on defense in 2013 and the results were mixed. While he succeeded on special teams thanks to his speed, he never really got the grasp of the cornerback position. Still, with running backs Latavius Murray, Trent Richardson, Roy Helu Jr. and Marcel Reece also on the depth chart, Jones figures to be more of a special teams contributor again this year.

Minor Moves: Saturday

September 13th, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

Here are some minor transactions that have occurred this Saturday before the rest of the week two action begins:

The Bears have promoted three players to their active roster for Sunday’s game against the 49ers, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribute (via Twitter). Receivers Josh Bellamy and Chris Williams will be suited up tomorrow, along with center Taylor Boggs.
The Vikings have signed running back Joe Banyard off of their practice squad, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). The team has waived full back Zach Line to make room for Banyard.
The Patriots have promoted linebacker Deontae Skinner to their active roster, reports Field Yates of ESPN (via Twitter). The team waived linebacker Darius Fleming to make room for the roster move.

Earlier updates:

The Jaguars have waived fifth-round pick Chris Smith, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). The defensive end was released to make way for the signing of safety Craig Loston.
The Raiders have officially promoted linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu from the practice squad to the active roster, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Wilson originally reported the teams plans to do so yesterday, and it has now become official. Filimoeatu slots in the roster spot that was vacated when the team placed Taiwan Jones on the injured-reserve, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
The Lions are promoting safety Nate Ness to the active roster, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Birkett has not played in a game since 2011.

Minor Moves: Friday

September 12th, 2014 at 5:26pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:

Confirming the signing of cornerback Jamell Fleming, the Chiefs announced that they’ve placed offensive lineman Jeff Allen on injured reserve in a corresponding roster move (Twitter link). It’s the latest blow to a line that already took several hits this year via free agency and a suspension.
The Colts have tweaked their practice squad, re-adding running back Zurlon Tipton, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Offensive tackle Reid Fragel will be the odd man out, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter).
Raiders head coach Dennis Allen confirmed earlier today that special teams ace Taiwan Jones is headed to the IR list (Twitter link via Fallon Smith of CSN Bay Area), and Bill Williamson of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) that it’ll mark the end of the season for Jones, who won’t be given the designation to return.

Earlier updates:

The Raiders are promoting Bojay Filimoeatu from practice squad to active roster, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Oakland signed the linebacker to their practice squad in late August, one day after releasing him to get down to the 53-man roster. The 6-1, 258-pound linebacker suffered a torn patellar tendon after his senior season and went undrafted in 2013.

Injury Notes: Lions, Raiders, Browns, Cowboys

September 10th, 2014 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

We don’t cover every single injury here at Pro Football Rumors, but we’ll always keep tabs on the more significant ones that may force a team to make a roster move or two to add reinforcements. Let’s round up the latest injury news that falls into that category…

Lions offensive lineman Corey Hilliard is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season with a foot injury, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). That helps to explain why the club re-signed Garrett Reynolds this morning, and it means Hilliard will likely head to IR. Having already added a lineman to the 53-man roster today, the Lions could fill Hilliard’s roster spot by signing a cornerback, since the secondary is a little short-handed as well.
Raiders special teams ace Taiwan Jones became the first 2011 draftee to sign a contract extension earlier this offseason, but now he’s set to miss a month or two of action. According to Bill Williamson and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, the recovery timeline for Jones’ foot injury will be about four to eight weeks. If Oakland believes the timeline will be closer to eight weeks than four, Jones could be a candidate for the team’s IR-DTR spot.
The Browns expect running back Ben Tate to be out for two to four weeks with a knee sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Cleveland might add another back to the active roster or practice squad for depth purposes, but I doubt any major move is coming, since Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell played well after Tate left Sunday’s game.
Having already lost Sean Lee for the season, the Cowboys saw another linebacker go down on Sunday, as Justin Durant figures to miss the next three or four weeks with a groin injury, a source tells David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. An outside addition is possible for Dallas, though the club could also turn to in-house options like Kyle Wilber or the recently-claimed Korey Toomer.