Jones is listed as the Buccaneers' third running back behind Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers on the initial version of the regular-season depth chart, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The inauspicious start to Jones' career continued Tuesday with the depth-chart release, as his slotting was more or less commensurate with his preseason performance. The rookie second-round pick carried 28 times for 22 yards over four exhibitions, with a two-yard touchdown run in the preseason opener against the Dolphins serving as one of the only positives this summer. How long into the season the initial backfield pecking order endures would seemingly hinge on the pace of Jones' development. The better he performs with whatever opportunities he's presented, the quicker he'll likely surpass Rodgers in playing time, given the gulf in raw talent between the two.