Maurice Jones-Drew is headed to the Raiders. (Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE)
The Oakland Raiders are expected to sign running back Maurice Jones-Drew to a three-year contract on Friday, according to multiple reports.
Jones-Drew, an Oakland native, informed the Raiders on Thursday night he intends to sign. The former Jacksonville Jaguar figures to have a better chance of starting in Oakland than Jacksonville.
The two sides are close to agreeing on a contract but 29-year-old still must pass a physical exam.
Jones-Drew would compete against Darren McFadden for the starting job. McFadden, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 draft, has failed to play 16 games in a season because of various injuries and missed three games last year.
Last year, limited by a foot injury, Jones-Drew averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in rushing for 803 yards with five touchdowns. A foot injury also cost him 10 games in 2005. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2011 after leading the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards.
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson was the Jaguars’ assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach in 2012.
