IRVING, Texas – A week after signing his restricted free agent tender, punter Chris Jones has agreed to an extension with the Cowboys through 2017.
The deal is expected to free up some salary cap space for the Cowboys. Jones' one-year original draft choice tender was worth $1.54 million.
The Cowboys signed Jones in 2011 as an injury replacement for veteran Mat McBriar. He became the full-time punter in 2012 and has punted injury-free the past two seasons with a career 45.0-yard average (40.0-yard net average) on 156 attempts.
In 2014 Jones posted a 39.8-yard net average on 57 punts.
Jones' extension keeps the Cowboys' punting and kicking operations intact. Longtime long snapper L.P. Ladouceur is back after making his first Pro Bowl in his 10th season, and Jones has been a reliable holder for kicker Dan Bailey.
Returner is the main question mark for the Cowboys on special teams. Dwayne Harris signed a five-year, $17.5 million deal with the Giants in March, leaving a void on kick and punt returns, where he had a combined 60 returns in 2014.
