Maurice Jones-Drew Will Report Prior To Start Of NFL Season

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has yet to report to the team's offseason program, opting to skip practices hoping for a new contract. Jones-Drew still has two years left on the five-year deal he signed in 2009, but after leading the NFL in rushing in 2011, he's looking for a new contract.

There was some concern that Jones-Drew could sit out some of the regular season, digging his heels in to try to get one final contract but John Clayton of ESPN feels that Jones-Drew will report for the start of training camp.

"I think he now realizes the team is going to do nothing as far as giving him anything on a contract," said Clayton. "He has two years left on the contract. And even though he's outperformed that contract, the organization feels as though they've come back, they've given him a deal even before he was a starter, and taken good care of him. ... There's no chance of him getting a new deal. I think he'll be there for the start of training camp."

While there was a small possibility Jones-Drew could skip regular games, it was unlikely. The likelihood the organization gives him a new contract it just as unlikely. The team feels they showed Jones-Drew good faith by giving him a contract earlier than necessary, and it appears they're not budging from that.