Bills to allow WR Jones to become free agent

"We have made the decision to not re-sign Donald. We're going in a different direction," general manager Buddy Nix said in a statement released by the team. "And this move today gives Donald the opportunity to catch on with another team early in the process."

Jones will now be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on March 12.

This is the Bills' first significant roster move since Doug Marrone took over as coach last month in replacing Chan Gailey, who was fired after three losing seasons.

Jones made the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Despite showing signs of promise, injuries and inconsistent play limited Jones' ability to prove himself as a regular starter opposite Stevie Johnson.

Jones had a career-best 41 catches for 443 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last season. He missed the final three games due to an undisclosed medical condition, which Jones said shouldn't prevent him from continuing to play.