By Dan Arkush
July 15, 2008

Kevin Jones

The Bears hope they bolstered their backfield Tuesday afternoon, signing ex-Lions RB Kevin Jones to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Originally selected by Detroit in the first round (30th overall) of the 2004 draft, Jones rushed for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns on 761 carries in four seasons with the Lions. The 25-year-old Virginia Tech product rushed for 581 yards and a career-high eight TDs last season, but he tore an anterior cruciate ligament Dec. 23, which led to his release by the Lions in March.

Provided he’s healthy, the addition of Jones should greatly solidify a RB corps that previously appeared dangerously thin behind projected rookie starter Matt Forté. Although Forté is expected to remain the starting RB heading into camp, the competition and insurance provided by Jones should serve the impressive-looking rookie well, in addition to reducing the considerable pressure the second-round pick will be facing. Jones’ signing also will enable backup RB Adrian Peterson to return to the special-teams role he excelled in during the 2006 season — a timely move taking into account the departure of special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo via free agency.

Our fantasy take

Jones figures to share enough of the running load with Forté to adversely affect the rookie's fantasy numbers. Should Forté get hurt, the ex-Lion could be a savvy in-season pickup with proven scoring potential. But his own lack of durability makes him a major question mark.