Jones-Drew back with Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew: still has two years to run on a five-year deal with Jacksonville

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has ended his 38-day holdout and returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars - without a new contract.

Jones-Drew was the NFL's rushing champion last season with 1,606 yards, meaning he has now managed at least 1,300 yards in three consecutive years.

The 27-year-old felt his performances should have been rewarded, despite the fact he still has two years to run on a five-year deal he signed in 2009.

However the Jaguars refused to negotiate, meaning the player has stayed away from the franchise in the build-up to the new season.

"There was nothing to be gained," Jones-Drew said about his decision to return. "It was a dispute over money, at the end of the day. There was no, 'Won or lost.'

"We're over it. It's solved for the time being and we're ready to roll."

Jones-Drew's absences during training camp and pre-season could see him fined by his team, with the amount possibly stretching into seven figures.

He has returned to the Jaguars ahead of the opening week of the new NFL season - Jacksonville open against the Minnesota Vikings - and head coach Mike Mularkey has already said that Rashad Jennings, not Jones-Drew, will start at tail-back.