Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) – Seeking help to a struggling receiver
corps, the Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran Jason Avant to an undisclosed
contract on Friday.
Avant, who was released by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, reunites with his
original NFL head coach in Andy Reid. The 31-year-old spent his first eight
seasons playing under Reid in Philadelphia from 2006-13, recording 51 or more
catches in three of his final four seasons with the team.
The nine-year veteran signed with the Panthers as a free agent back in March,
but managed just 201 yards and a touchdown on 21 catches over 11 games with
Carolina.
For his career, Avant has compiled 318 catches totaling 3,847 yards with 13
touchdowns.
He joins a Kansas City squad that has trouble finding a reliable No. 2
receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe this season. No Chiefs wideout other than Bowe
has caught more than 14 passes through the team’s 11 games.
Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, who had only nine catches in nine games this
season, was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. The former
first-round pick has missed Kansas City’s last two contests with a shoulder
problem.
