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Sources: Redskins trying to deal RB Jones

By Alex Butler
Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) runs against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter on September 18 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) runs against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter on September 18 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

April 28 (UPI) -- The Washington Redskins are trying to find a trade partner for running back Matt Jones.

NFL Network reported Friday morning that unnamed league sources said the franchise is shopping the third-year rusher. Jones, 24, had 794 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns during his 2015 rookie campaign. He had 440 rushing yards and three scores in seven games last season. Jones averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2016, but couldn't stay on the field because of a myriad of injuries.

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He also had some fumbling issues, letting eight footballs hit the turf in 20 career appearances. Jones is likely No. 4 on the team's depth chart, behind Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Mack Brown. The Redskins also have Keith Marshall.

Jones was a third-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden had praise for Kelley in a March interview, but seemed to skip over acknowledging Jones' skills.

"Oh, man, I love Rob Kelley," Gruden told CSN Mid Atlantic. "I thought he played great. You throw a rookie free agent into the fire like that and see him play and compete. Not one time did I feel like it was too big for him. Not once. That's a hell of a thing to say for a kid out of Tulane who only had a couple of carries his senior year. He came right in, he competes on every play."

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Gruden also talked up Thompson and Brown, but didn't say much about Jones except to explain that he was still on the team's roster, per the report.

Jones was a healthy scratch in eight consecutive Redskins games to end the 2016 season. He is signed through 2018.

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