Following a difficult day across the NFL, the New York Jets moved quickly to try and collect top talent for their practice squad.
Luckily for them, they settled on some strong players.
New York announced the arrival of 13 practice squad players, many of whom return after a strong preseason and training camp with the team. Let’s take a look at who will be staying with the Jets heading into the 2023 season.
CB, Craig James
James is back with the Jets after a strong training camp with a chance to be on the active gameday roster against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 with Brandin Echols’ suspension. James is a very good special teams player as well and could help there too.
CB Nehemiah Shelton
Shelton was brought on from the Jets shortly before the end of the preseason. At 6’2″ he’s a good size for what the team wants to do on the defensive end and could be necessary depth to the roster.
S Trey Dean
Dean was a fan favorite and looked extremely strong throughout the preseason but was cut on Tuesday. Now, he’s back with the team and could provide some much-needed depth to the organization as well. The UDFA out of Florida can also help on special teams.
LB Sam Eguavoen
Eguavoen was a special teams ace for the Jets throughout the preseason and is back on the practice squad. He should be a candidate to be called up whenever the team needs strong help on punt and kick coverage.
OL Adam Pankey
Pankey is back with the Jets and for good reason. The 29-year-old has position flexibility at guard and tackle and should provide plenty of insurance for an offensive line that is just recovering from its own injury history. This was a big keep for the Jets.
QB Tim Boyle
There was little doubt that the Jets would be bringing back Tim Boyle on their practice squad. This also means that he would need to be bumped up to the 53-man roster at some point to fulfill the third-quarterback rule the NFL has now instituted.
TE Zack Kuntz
New York’s seventh-round selection back in April is back with the team. Kuntz is seen as a project-tight end but with incredible intangibles to make him an interesting prospect.
LB Caleb Johnson
Another linebacker claimed by the Jets means the team is looking to fill the bottom parts of the roster with athletic and capable players. They got one here in Johnson who comes from the Bears and could be another solid depth piece on special teams.
DT Tanzel Smart
Smart was seen as a player with upside for New York through camp but couldn’t crack the 53-man roster. That obviously could change over the next few days but Smart is a very strong player to have on the roster again.
DL Marquiss Spencer
Spencer joins Smart as players returning to the team after they were released on Tuesday. He’s another player who could provide depth for the team and would be a candidate to be called up for some games should an injury arise.
Waiver Claim Losses
Trystan Colon – Cardinals
Claudin Cherelus – Panthers
Zonovan Knight – Lions
To Note:
Running back Xazavian Valladay and safety Tyreque Jones both have been reported to be picked up by the team but New York did not formally announce their acquisitions yet. All practice squad candidates announced are returns to the team from Tuesday.
Roster Moves
New York announced Wednesday afternoon that they have resigned punter Thomas Morstead and fullback Nick Bawden. To make room for them on the active roster, the Jets have placed Carter Warren and Kenny Yeboah on IR, costing them the first four games of the NFL season.
For more New York Jets news, turn to AMNY.com
Read more: Jets Consider Jason Peters for 2023 Season
