Ducks In The NFL: Jalen Jelks Released, Tony Brooks-James Finds New Home
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL continues with business as usual and several Oregon Ducks are on the move as the season approaches.
On Sunday the Dallas Cowboys released Jalen Jelks. With the change in coaching staff in the offseason, Jelks became expendable after spending a good part of the 2019 season sidelined with injuries. The former Oregon Duck was the final pick of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cowboys as a seventh-round selection.
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The previous coaching staff saw Jelks as a higher-end draft selection with a lot of potential. Last Wednesday, Dallas signed Everson Griffen, a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings to a one year deal. The likelihood is that Jelks’s release was likely a result of that signing. Jelks is now a free agent who can sign with any team.
Another team making moves this offseason with former Oregon Ducks is Minnesota. Tony Brooks-James was resigned by the Vikings after being on their practice squad at the end of last year. Brooks James has played for several teams in his young NFL Career including Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta signed the him as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Tony Brooks-James has some upside and has rushed for over 3300 yards for his career with seven one-hundred yard rushing games in his NFL career. In Minnesota, he will clearly have some competition on the field. Dalvin Cook leads the way with Brooks-James likely looking to push into a backup role or as a return man for the upcoming season.
The 2020 NFL Season begins on Thursday, September 10th without fans in attendance. The opener has Houston facing Kansas City. Dallas visits the Rams on Sunday Night Football on NBC (5:20 pm PT). Minnesota hosts the Green Bay Packers on FOX (10 am PT).