Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Deion Jones (40) during the second quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Reports: Bucs sign former Pro Bowl LB Deion Jones

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones to their practice squad, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

Jones, 30, was released by the Buffalo Bills during their final cuts on Aug. 25, less than four months after he signed a one-year contract with the team.

Jones played his first six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and topped 100 tackles in five of them, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017.

He totaled 731 tackles, 12 sacks and 13 interceptions in 109 games (91 starts) with the Falcons (2016-21), Cleveland Browns (2022) and Carolina Panthers (2023).

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates after defeating the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Bills sign Chase Claypool, Deion Jones, Dawuane Smoot

The Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Chase Claypool and two others to one-year deals, the team announced Friday.

Claypool, 25, most recently played for the Miami Dolphins, his third team in the past two seasons. He played nine games for the Dolphins, catching four passes, after a trade in October from the Chicago Bears. He had spent just under a year with the Bears, coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a November 2022 trade.

Claypool started his career with the Steelers, who selected the former Notre Dame standout in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He has 175 catches for 2,261 yards and 13 touchdowns in 58 games (32 starts) with the Steelers, Bears and Dolphins.

The Bills also announced one-year deals with linebacker Deion Jones and defensive end Dawuane Smoot.

Jones, 29, played his first six seasons with the Falcons and topped 100 tackles in five of them, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017. A second-round pick by Atlanta in 2016, Jones has 731 tackles, 12 sacks and 13 interceptions in 109 games (91 starts).

He played for the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and Carolina Panthers in 2023.

Smoot, 29, was a 2017 third-round draft pick by the Jaguars and has 23.5 sacks, 64 QB hits and five forced fumbles in 99 career games (17 starts), all with Jacksonville

–Field Level Media

Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker Deion Jones (53) after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers cut LB Deion Jones, acquire WR from Chiefs

The Carolina Panthers released veteran linebacker Deion Jones on Tuesday and acquired wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

They were part of a series of moves as the Panthers reduced their roster to the 53-man limit.

Jones, 28, was a second-round pick in 2016 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 with the Atlanta Falcons. He has posted 696 tackles, 11 sacks and 12 interceptions — five returned for touchdowns — in 96 games (88 starts) with the Falcons (2016-21) and Cleveland Browns (2022).

Smith-Marsette came over from the Chiefs in a trade Monday night, a deal that included a swap of conditional 2025 seventh-round picks. He had nine catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason.

Smith-Marsette, who turned 24 on Tuesday, was a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He has gained 230 all-purpose yards in 16 games (one start) with the Vikings (2021), Chicago Bears (2022) and Chiefs (2022). He caught two touchdown passes as a rookie with Minnesota.

Carolina placed right guard Austin Corbett (ACL) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and he will miss at least the first four games.

Defensive end Henry Anderson was placed on injured reserve.

The Panthers also released the following players: running back Spencer Brown; wide receivers Shi Smith, Javon Wims and Josh Vann; offensive linemen Justin McCray, Michael Jordan, Deonte Brown, Sam Tecklenburg and JD Direnzo; defensive lineman Raequan Williams; outside linebackers Kobe Jones, Eku Leota and Jordan Thomas; inside linebackers Brandon Smith, and Ace Eley; safety Eric Rowe; and cornerbacks Keith Taylor, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Herb Miller, Mac McCain and Mark Milton.

–Field Level Media

Browns linebacker Deion Jones celebrates as he gets up after sacking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the second half Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Cleveland.

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Report: Veteran LB Deion Jones visiting with Giants

Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones is visiting with the New York Giants on Monday, NFL Network reported.

The 28-year-old free agent recorded 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games (five starts) with Cleveland in 2022.

Jones played his first six seasons with Atlanta and topped 100 tackles in five of them, making the Pro Bowl in 2017.

A second-round pick by the Falcons in 2016, Jones has 696 tackles, 11 sacks and 12 interceptions in 96 games.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Browns LB Deion Jones activated, to make debut vs. Ravens

Cleveland Browns linebacker Deion Jones was activated from injured reserve on Saturday and is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the host Baltimore Ravens.

Jones, 27, was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 10 and designated for return from IR two days later. He had been nursing a shoulder injury.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2017, Jones has totaled 652 tackles, 11 interceptions, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 85 career games (83 starts). He was selected by the Falcons with a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Also on Saturday, the Browns promoted linebacker Dakota Allen and cornerback Herb Miller from the practice squad.

Allen, 26, has 29 tackles and one forced fumble in 34 career games (three starts) with the then-Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Browns.

Miller, 24, has 11 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in 15 career games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Browns.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Browns designate LB Deion Jones for return from IR

Cleveland Browns linebacker Deion Jones was designated to return from injured reserve two days after being acquired from the Atlanta Falcons.

Following a minimum of four games missed, a player designated for return has 21 days to be activated or must remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Jones has been on injured reserve since Sept. 1 with a shoulder injury. He joined the Browns via trade on Monday.

The Browns will send the Falcons a sixth-round pick in 2024 in exchange for the 27-year-old Jones and a seventh-round 2024 draft selection.

The Browns have a hole in the middle of their defense after Anthony Walker Jr. suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury on Sept. 22.

Jones spent the past six seasons with Atlanta, who drafted him in the second round in 2016.

In 85 career games (83 starts), Jones has recorded 652 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and five touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017.

In other moves Wednesday, the Browns waived cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. and signed tight end Miller Forristall to the practice squad. Graham appeared in four games this season. Forristall cleared waivers after being let go on Monday, when Cleveland also parted with quarterback Josh Rosen.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: Falcons’ linebackers a ‘strength’ despite Jones trade

The Atlanta Falcons (2-3) will attempt to get their record back to .500 when the San Francisco 49ers (3-2) visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday.

The Atlanta defense will be challenged by a San Francisco offense that’s gotten into a groove with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm and coach Kyle Shanahan dialing up the plays.

But Falcons coach Arthur Smith is confident in the defensive personnel he’s got after Atlanta dealt former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones to the Cleveland Browns.

The Falcons announced Monday that they traded Jones and their 2024 seventh-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for the Browns’ 2024 sixth-round pick.

“Like any move we make, we try to do it with the best interest of the team,” Smith said. “We’re always mindful of the players and we’re very appreciative of all the players that played here. Very appreciative of what Deion has done for us.”

In Jones’ six-plus years with the Falcons, he tallied 652 tackles, 11 interceptions (five for touchdowns), 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles across 85 games (83 starts). He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and was in the third year of a four-year, $57 million contract.

Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans have been Atlanta’s top two linebackers through five games. Walker leads the team in stops (44), while Evans ranks second (41).

Rookie Troy Andersen stepped in for Walker after he injured his hamstring in the second quarter against Tampa Bay on Sunday and had five tackles. Nathan Landman and Nick Kwiatkoski have provided valuable depth and have carved out roles on special teams.

“Mykal Walker has been playing really good football and the numbers show that, and the same with Rashaan. They all have their strengths,” Smith said.

“Troy, he played a little more against two stacked running back batches and thought he handled them really well. For Nate, he has to play a little more because Mykal was out. We feel good about Kwiatkoski too, so we feel like it’s a strength of our defense.”

Walker is questionable for this week’s game against the 49ers.

–Smith’s offense will face its stiffest challenge to date squaring off against a 49ers’ defense that is currently tied for first in the NFL in scoring (12.2 points per game) and ranks first in total defense (249.2 yards per game), second in rushing defense (71.4 yards per game), third in pass defense (177.8 yards per game) and first in sacks (21).

–In Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay, Atlanta struggled offensively playing without Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) and Kyle Pitts (hamstring). Patterson will not play against San Francisco and Pitts is listed as questionable.

If Pitts is unable to go against for a second consecutive week, expect the 49ers to put the game in quarterback Marcus Mariota’s hands by keying on an Atlanta rushing attack that ranks third in the league (164.6 yards per game). The Falcons rank 30th in the NFL (166.8 yards per game) in passing after Mariota posted just 147 yards through the air last week.

The Niners’ secondary can also focus on rookie wideout Drake London, who has been the Falcons most consistent threat in the passing game through five games.

–It will be a homecoming of sorts for Shanahan. He was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator (2015-16) during the team’s Super Bowl LI run and played a key role in Atlanta leading the league in scoring.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Browns acquire Pro Bowl LB Deion Jones from Atlanta

The Cleveland Browns acquired Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones and a seventh-round pick in 2024 from the Atlanta Falcons on Monday.

The Browns will send the Falcons a sixth-round pick in 2024, per their announcement.

Jones, 27, is currently on injured reserve after shoulder surgery and has yet to appear in a game this season. He is eligible to be designated for return to practice.

The Browns have a hole in the middle of their defense after Anthony Walker Jr. suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury.

Jones has spent the last six seasons with Atlanta after being drafted by the Falcons in the second round in 2016.

In 85 career games (83 starts), Jones has recorded 652 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and five touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017.

Also Monday, the Browns waived tight end Miller Forristall and released quarterback Josh Rosen from the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Browns acquire LB Deion Jones

The Cleveland Browns have traded for Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones, NFL Network reported Sunday night.

Cleveland will swap late-round 2024 draft picks with the Falcons as part of the trade, according to a report by ESPN.

Jones, 27, is currently on injured reserve and has yet to appear in a game this season. He has spent the last six seasons with Atlanta after being drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2016 draft.

In 85 career games (83 starts), all with Atlanta, Jones has recorded 652 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and five touchdowns. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons place LB Deion Jones, 4 others on IR

The Atlanta Falcons placed starting linebacker Deion Jones and four others on injured reserve Thursday.

Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson, offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield and tight end John FitzPatrick will also miss at least the first four games of the season.

Jones, 27, is the Falcons’ highest-paid player with a base salary of $9.64 million and a cap hit of $20 million this season, per Spotrac. He signed a four-year, $57 million extension in July 2019.

Jones had offseason shoulder surgery and was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 24.

Jones recorded 137 tackles and two sacks in 16 starts last season. He has posted 652 tackles, 11 interceptions and 8.5 sacks in 85 games (83 starts) since the Falcons drafted him in the second round in 2016. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017.

In corresponding moves, Atlanta restocked its 53-man roster by re-signing defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson, linebacker Nick Kwiatkowski and offensive lineman Colby Gossett, and claiming offensive tackle Chuma Edoga and defensive tackle Matt Dickerson off waivers.

–Field Level Media