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Photo: (James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle) Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Image 2 of 19 <center><b>Jan. 20, 2007</b></center> It was Jacoby Jones' performance in the East-West Shrine game at Reliant Stadium that really sparked the Texans' interest in him. <center><b>Jan. 20, 2007</b></center> It was Jacoby Jones' performance in the East-West Shrine game at Reliant Stadium that really sparked the Texans' interest in him. Photo: KAREN WARREN / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 19 Jacoby Jones, left, is shown celebrating a score with receiver Andre Johnson, who served as a mentor to him. Jacoby Jones, left, is shown celebrating a score with receiver Andre Johnson, who served as a mentor to him. Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 19 <center><b>Aug. 25, 2007</b></center> Rookie receiver Jacoby Jones runs for a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown during a preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys. <center><b>Aug. 25, 2007</b></center> Rookie receiver Jacoby Jones runs for a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown during a preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 19 Image 6 of 19 Jacoby Jones leaps into the arms of his mother, Emily Jones, top left, following a game. Jacoby Jones leaps into the arms of his mother, Emily Jones, top left, following a game. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 19 Fans were impressed with Jacoby Jones for his big plays during the early years of his career in Houston. Fans were impressed with Jacoby Jones for his big plays during the early years of his career in Houston. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 8 of 19 <center><b>May, 2009</b></center> Jacoby Jones graduated from Lane College. <center><b>May, 2009</b></center> Jacoby Jones graduated from Lane College. Photo: Richard Donnell / Lane College Image 9 of 19 Sept. 22, 2009 Jacoby Jones talks to the media after making an appearance at the Harris County Criminal Court House to deal with a case in his involvement of an alleged DWI charge. less Sept. 22, 2009 Jacoby Jones talks to the media after making an appearance at the Harris County Criminal Court House to deal with a case in his involvement of an alleged DWI ... more Photo: Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 19 Image 11 of 19 Oct. 4, 2009 Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones runs toward the end zone on a 95-yard free kick return for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans beat the Raiders 29-6. less Oct. 4, 2009 Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones runs toward the end zone on a 95-yard free kick return for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans beat the Raiders ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 19 <center><b>2009</b></center> Jacoby Jones wows fans with his Texans hairstyle. <center><b>2009</b></center> Jacoby Jones wows fans with his Texans hairstyle. Photo: Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 19 <center><b>2010</b></center> Jacoby Jones celebrates in the end zone after scoring on a touchdown. In 2010, Jones had 51 catches for 562 yards and three touchdowns. <center><b>2010</b></center> Jacoby Jones celebrates in the end zone after scoring on a touchdown. In 2010, Jones had 51 catches for 562 yards and three touchdowns. Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle Image 14 of 19 <center><b>Oct. 16, 2011</b></center> Jacoby Jones sits on the bench near the end of the fourth quarter of a loss to the Ravens. <center><b>Oct. 16, 2011</b></center> Jacoby Jones sits on the bench near the end of the fourth quarter of a loss to the Ravens. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 15 of 19 Image 16 of 19 <center><b>Jan. 15, 2012</b></center> Jacoby Jones drops the ball on a punt return during the first quarter of an AFC divisional playoff football game against the Ravens. <center><b>Jan. 15, 2012</b></center> Jacoby Jones drops the ball on a punt return during the first quarter of an AFC divisional playoff football game against the Ravens. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 17 of 19 <center><b>Jan. 15, 2012</b></center> Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones walks off the field after the Texans' 20-13 playoff loss to the Ravens. <center><b>Jan. 15, 2012</b></center> Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones walks off the field after the Texans' 20-13 playoff loss to the Ravens. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 18 of 19 <center><b>Jan. 16, 2012</b></center> Jacoby Jones cleans out his locker at the end of the 2011 season. <center><b>Jan. 16, 2012</b></center> Jacoby Jones cleans out his locker at the end of the 2011 season. Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press Image 19 of 19 Texans release much-maligned receiver Jacoby Jones 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

After the Texans were unable to work out a trade for receiver Jacoby Jones during the draft, agent Kennard McGuire asked general manager Rick Smith to release his client.

Smith could have waited until after June 1 to free up $3 million under the salary cap rather than $2.5 million, but he agreed, placing Jones on waivers and clearing a spot on the roster for one of the young receivers the Texans drafted or signed as undrafted free agents.

“After visiting with Rick, we came to the conclusion that a change of scenery and fresh start would be the best thing for Jacoby,” McGuire said. “There’s a tremendous amount of gratitude for them doing it this time.”

Jones, a third-round pick from Lane College in 2007, had become a controversial figure in Houston. The coup de grace was Jones muffing a punt in the 20-13 divisional playoff loss at Baltimore. Fans and media criticized him. Many blamed him for the defeat.

“Jacoby has done well by the Texans organization,” McGuire said. “He’s won games for the Texans. He’s contributed to the team’s success.

“But I’ve never seen a player more scrutinized and criticized to the level that Jacoby was. It got to a point where I believe it was almost nerve-wracking for him to perform at the level we feel he was capable of performing. He became Public Enemy No. 1, and that’s unfortunate.”

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Jones, who wasn’t available for comment on Tuesday, caught 31 passes for 512 yards last season when he replaced the injured Andre Johnson in the starting lineup. His 16.5-yard average per catch led the team, but he scored only two touchdowns.

As a punt returner, he averaged 10.6 yards and scored one touchdown.

“I believe this is going to work out well for Jacoby,” McGuire said. “There’s no reason to rush (to sign with another team). When the talk came up about the trade, we sort of got a jump start. We pretty much know what the market is. It’s not like we’re getting a late start. We know the demographics of what that’s going to look like. It’s a matter of taking time to make sure it’s the right fit and provides the right opportunity.”

Jones’ best season for receptions was 2010 when he had 51 for 562 yards and three touchdowns. His career high for touchdown receptions was in 2009 when he caught six.

“With the receivers we got in the draft and signed as (undrafted) free agents, we’re going in a different direction,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’re going to be younger and newer at that position.”

Johnson and Kevin Walter return as starters. Lestar Jean, an undrafted free agent who was impressive in last year’s preseason and spent the season on injured reserve, will be in the mix. So will DeVier Posey (third round), Keshawn Martin (fourth), Dwight Jones (undrafted) and Jerrell Johnson (undrafted).

The Texans are expected to sign at least one veteran before training camp.

“I met with Jacoby today,” Kubiak said. “We’ve come a long way since he first got here. He’s kind of like a son to me. Those first couple of years together weren’t a lot of fun, but we got it worked out. He worked hard and matured and helped this team win games.”

Jones had off-the-field issues early in his career, but Kubiak didn’t give up on him.

“When Andre went down last year, I think he played well,” Kubiak said. “He did everything I asked. I wish him the very best. I think a new start is best for him. I told him to put a smile on his face, get a new start and kick some butt in his new job.”