Jaguars cut WR Zay Jones, clearing a path to potentially sign five

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday, dumping him five days after drafting LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick and a day after agreeing to bring five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry in for rookie minicamp.

Jones was scheduled to count nearly $10.8 million against the salary cap in 2024, a significant payout for someone expected to be the team’s fourth receiver at best. Jacksonville will eat $6.6 million in dead money to save $4.2 million this season.

Jones, who has 3,028 career receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in seven years with Buffalo, Oakland/Las Vegas and Jacksonville, missed eight games last season with knee and hamstring injuries. He also was arrested on a domestic violence charge that was ultimately dropped.

He was entering the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract that included $14 million guaranteed.