Jones and the Dolphins are close to reaching an agreement on a contract, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones had 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 15 games for Detroit last season. He will provide the Dolphins with another veteran presence along the defensive line should he sign on the dotted line.

Jones (knee) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Jones, one of the Lions' starting defensive ends, was cleared to play in Week 6 after returning to full practice Friday. The 29-year-old has recorded 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble so far this season.

Jones missed the Lions' mandatory minicamp this week after undergoing a procedure to address an undisclosed injury, the Detroit Free Press reports. "He had a little bit of an injury that he got taken care of," coach Jim Caldwell noted of the defensive end. While Caldwell didn't specify the nature of Jones' procedure, he indicated that the 29-year-old -- who has had knee issues in the past -- "will be ready to go" for the start of the regular season. While starting all 16 games for the Lions in 2014, Jones recorded 22 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. In his minicamp absence, Devin Taylor and Darryl Tapp split the team's first-unit reps at left defensive end.

Lions DE Jason Jones (knee) has been a limited participant at this week's OTAs. Jones is coming off a ruptured patellar tendon sustained in Week 3 of last season. He's expected to start at strong-side defensive end and kick inside as a rusher in sub packages.

Lions LE Jason Jones (knee) expects to be ready for the offseason program. Jones tore his left patellar tendon in Week 3. MLive.com expects him to return as the starter opposite RE Ziggy Ansah, though Devin Taylor could also be in the mix. Patellar tendon tears are tough injuries to come back from. Jones will turn 28 in May and generated just two pressures in 87 snaps last season.

Lions placed LE Jason Jones on injured reserve with torn left patellar tendon, ending his season. The 27-year-old end went down with a non-contact injury in Sunday's win. Signed to a three-year, $9.5 million deal in March, Jones ends his first year in the Motor City having generated just two quarterback pressures in 87 snaps (per Pro Football Focus). Andre Fluellen is taking Jones' roster spot, though Willie Young, Israel Idonije and perhaps rookie Devin Taylon will split up his role.

Lions LE Jason Jones tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in Sunday's Week 3 win over the Redskins and is done for the season. Jones was carted off the field in the second quarter after his knee gave out on a non-contact play. The 27-year-old wasn't creating much pressure on the quarterback through two-plus games, and he was near the bottom of Pro Football Focus' 4-3 defensive end rankings. However, he was a valuable veteran presence up front. Willie Young and Israel Indonije will fill in at left end for the remainder of the season. Jones signed a three-year deal in March.

Lions LE Jason Jones was carted off the field with a left knee injury in Sunday's Week 3 game against the Redskins. Jones' knee looked like it just gave out on him as he was rushing the passer midway through the second quarter. Willie Young replaced Jones at left end.

GM Martin Mayhew said Jason Jones will play defensive end on first and second down, and defensive tackle on third downs. Versatility and ability to rush the quarterback from the inside is what landed Jones a three-year, $9.5 million deal last Wednesday. We suspect he'll start at left end in the Lions' base formation and then kick inside in the nickel. As a true three-down player, Jones is a strong bet to top his previous career-high of five sacks.

A source "with knowledge of the Lions' plans" says Jason Jones was not signed with the intention of starting him at defensive end. The Lions reportedly see Jones as an inside rusher out of the nickel spot. It's something he's very capable of, but this leaves a big gap at the starting defensive end spots vacated by Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch. We'll see what other additions the Lions make before projecting Jones' exact role.