Bears confident in punt returner Velus Jones, but ...

Charles Rex Arbogast, AP Photos

Bears wide receiver Velus Jones (12) has returned five punts for 35 yards (7.0 avg.) this season.The Bears are still confident in kick returner Velus Jones after the rookie muffed his second punt in three games last week. But the punt returning job is wide open heading into Monday night’s game against the Patriots.

Special teams coach Richard Hightower said Jones is in a competition with Eddie Jackson, Josh Blackwell and Dante Pettis among others for kick returning duties against the Patriots.

“I don’t worry too much about his confidence because he is a confident guy,” Hightower said. “He just wants to do well for his team. Obviously he had a couple struggles.…