Bills to allow WR Jones to become free agent

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Bills are allowing third-year receiver Donald Jones to enter free agency after deciding not to tender him a contract offer.

General manager Buddy Nix says the team elected to go "in a different direction'' on Thursday. Nix made the decision to not retain the player's rights now to give Jones a better chance of landing with another team once free agency opens March 12.

Jones made the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. While showing signs of promise, he's been inconsistent in proving himself as a starter.

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