Recently released Terrelle Pryor was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s New York Jets game and is expected to miss next week as well with a tear in his groin.
FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY—Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets will release receiver Terrelle Pryor, less than 24 hours before they face off with the Minnesota Vikings (1:00 p.m ET, Fox).
Pryor, who has a tear in his groin, had been listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s tilt, and Schefter claims he is set to miss next week’s game, should he be signed.
Jets are releasing WR Terrelle Pryor today, per league source. Pryor has a tear in his groin and is expected to be out about two weeks. Jets interested in bringing him back when healthy, but other teams also likely to be interested.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2018
Schefter also claims that the Jets would be interested in a reunion if and when Pryror gets healthy, but the sixth-year quarterback-turned-receiver, who earned a career-high 1,007 yards in his last full campaign in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns, will likely be a hot commodity for teams looking to add a veteran receiver.
Despite dealing with injuries all season, missing a majority of the preseason, Pryor had appeared in each of the Jets’ first six games, scoring a touchdown in each of the most recent two.
His time with the Jets potentially ends with 14 receptions for 235 yards, including those two scores.
The move is somewhat surprising considering the Jets’ depth, or lack thereof, at receiver. In addition to Pryor’s doubtful status, Quincy Enunwa was an early name listed as out on this week’s injury report.
Head coach Todd Bowles hinted during his Friday afternoon press conference that the team would possibly make a move at receiver, and Pryor’s release gives them a chance to add a name to the active roster, though a corresponding move has yet to be made.
Asked if Pryor’s injury would require surgery, Bowles remarked it was “too early to tell”.
Earlier this week, the Jets hosted veteran receivers Rishard Matthews and Corey Coleman in for a workout. Coleman was later added to the practice squad of the New York Giants.
Calling up practice squad receiver Deontay Burnett could is also a possibility, as Burnett was one of quarterback Sam Darnold’s favorite targets in their final shared season at USC.
Earning second-team All-PAC-12 honors, Brunett had 86 receptions for 1,184 yards with the Trojans last season, including 12 receptions for 139 yards in the team’s Cotton Bowl game against Ohio State. Burnett spent the preseason with the Tennessee Titans before joining the Jets in September.
Bowles mentioned that Brunett had gotten some reps in practice, but would not commit to a practice squad promotion.
“He’s been taking some reps, but we also worked out some guys,” Bowles said. “We’ll deal with that shortly.”
Otherwise, the Jets will go into Sunday’s game potentially seeking increased reps from reserve receivers Charone Peake and Andre Roberts, set to be the names behind top pair Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse. The pair is primarily used on special teams, with Roberts being the team’s top return man.
UPDATE (6:30 p.m. ET): The Jets announced they were promoting Brunett from the practice squad, as well as confirmed Pryor’s release.
We've activated WR Deontay Burnett and released WR Terrelle Pryor.
? https://t.co/42Vkk7Y85z pic.twitter.com/08l1DWdq3S
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 20, 2018
