Packers activate RB Aaron Jones from suspension, waive CB Deante Burton

The Green Bay Packers’ most explosive running back has returned.

Second-year pro Aaron Jones has been activated from the reserve/suspended list and is back on the active 53-man roster as of Wednesday, the Packers announced. Jones served a two-game suspension for a marijuana-related traffic stop last fall, with the Packers going 1-0-1 against NFC North opponents in those two games. Green Bay ran for an average of just 83.5 rushing yards per game in those two contests, with Jamaal Williams leading the way with 106 yards on 31 carries.

Jones, who played extensively in the Packers’ preseason finale, provides burst and explosiveness that neither Williams nor Ty Montgomery possesses. While those two backs each averaged fewer than four yards per carry in 2017, Jones averaged 5.5, with 448 yards and four touchdowns on just 81 carries. He also had a pair of 100-yard performances, running for 125 against the Dallas Cowboys in week five and 131 at home against the New Orleans Saints two weeks later. A knee injury midway through last season cost him a few games, however, after which Williams held on to the starting job.

Jones will take the place of cornerback Deante Burton, whom the Packers claimed on waivers from the Atlanta Falcons after week one. Burton was not active on gameday for the Packers in week two against the Vikings.