Patriots Bring Back Cyrus Jones, Release Kenjon Barner

In need of a punt returner, the New England Patriots are bringing back Cyrus Jones, the team's 2016 second-round draft pick, according to reports.

To make room for Jones, the Patriots are releasing running back Kenjon Barner.

Howe reported that Jones is coming back to New England on a two-year, $1.81 million deal.

The 24-year-old Alabama product had a rocky tenure in New England, muffing a number of punts his rookie year and sitting out the entire 2017 season after tearing his ACL during the preseason.

Jones landed on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad after he was released by the Patriots as the team trimmed its initial 2018 roster to 53 players.

He could contribute in the secondary, but with Julian Edelman serving a four-game PED suspension and Patrick Chung going through the league's concussion protocol, Jones' primary contributions will likely come on special teams.

The Patriots signed Barner, an experienced punt returner, last week after he was cut by the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 31.