Jaguars pick up
Ma‘afala
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. >> The Jacksonville Jaguars signed running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala yesterday.
The sixth-year back was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, after they failed to work out a trade for him. With a handful of other teams interested, the Jaguars signed the former Saint Louis School standout even though a hamstring injury might prevent him from playing in the opener against Carolina.
Fuamatu-Ma'afala joins former Farrington High and UH player Vince Manuwai and Kahuku High School alumnus Chris Naeole on the Jaguars' roster.
Coach Jack Del Rio said the 254-pound veteran will be a "hybrid" back for the Jaguars, able to play halfback and fullback.
Fuamatu-Ma'afala ran for 453 yards in 2001 and 115 last season in eight games. He was a key backup for Jerome Bettis, but the emergence of Amos Zereoue and Pittsburgh's shift to a more pass-oriented offense made him expendable.
He also has a history of injuries, which have included a broken hand, a hurt rib cage and pectoral muscle and a number of hamstring pulls.
