The Jacksonville Jaguars today signed defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison (pictured) and guard Kynan Forney to contracts. Ellison was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at midnight tonight, and Forney was set to become an unrestricted free agent. Length and terms of both veterans' contracts are undisclosed.
Ellison is a third-year player whom the Jaguars signed from the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in December of 2008. The 28-year-old Ellison played in the first 15 games last season and started six before suffering a knee injury Dec. 27 at New England. He finished with 28 tackles (16 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss and one pass defensed. The 6-3, 322-pound Ellison began his NFL career as a Carolina Panthers third-round draft choice from Missouri in 2005.
Forney is entering his 10th NFL season and his second in Jacksonville. The 6-3, 302-pounder signed with the Jaguars last September 8 and he played in three games as a backup lineman. The 31-year-old Forney played for the San Diego Chargers in 2008 but he spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round in 2001. Forney has played in 98 NFL games and started 88 following his college career at Hawaii.
