After making some additions through Saturday cuts, the New York Jets recut their own roster to 53 men and announced their practice squad.
Gains for four newly minted New York Jets served as the downfall for four others.
After the Jets announced the signings of Braxton Berrios, John Franklin-Myers, Bennett Jackson, and Kaare Vedvik, they bid farewell to four others. Receiver Greg Dortch, safety Doug Middleton, kicker Taylor Bertolet were all waived in the wake of the arrivals. Meanwhile, linebacker Albert McClellan was released.
The team confirmed the departures on Sunday.
We have signed:
WR Braxton Berrios
DL John Franklin-Myers
K Kaare Vedvik
S Bennett JacksonWe have waived:
WR Greg Dortch
S Doug Middleton
K Taylor BertoletWe have released:
LB Albert McClellan— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 1, 2019
The most notable loss is perhaps Dortch. An undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest, the receiver made a name for himself as a return man. His 85 yards earned on punts ranked 10th in the league during the preseason. He was listed as the team’s top punt returner on the depth chart after the initial 53-man roster was released. Dortch also earned 49 yards on eight receptions. One catch went for a touchdown in the Jets’ preseason opener against the Giants.
The safety, Middleton, was the longest-tenured Jet of the waiver-wire victims. He joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and was entering his fourth season. Middleton missed nine games last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle landed him on injured reserve. He nonetheless put up a career-best 27 tackles.
Bertolet’s departure was sealed with the signing of Vedvik. It marks the second consecutive season where he was dismissed from the Jets’ roster prior to Week 1. He previously lost last year’s kicking position to Jason Myers in 2018. Invited back after Chandler Catanzaro’s retirement after this summer’s first exhibition, Bertolet struggled in the spot. His fate was perhaps sealed after converting 2-of-5 field goal attempts in the preseason finale last Thursday.
The two-time Super Bowl champion McClellan was granted his outright release. He was signed to the Jets on August 17, six months after he partook in the New England Patriots’ championship triumph over the Los Angeles Rams. McClellan had previously spent seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Jets also added seven players to their practice squad. Each addition was part of Saturday cuts. The returnees include offensive linemen Calvin Anderson and Ben Braden, cornerback Kyron Brown, quarterback Luke Falk, linebacker Jamey Mosley, receiver Jeff Smith, and running back Valentine Holmes.
International player rules regarding Holmes will allow them to keep an 11th player on the squad. Holmes is not eligible to be named to the active roster this season.
We have signed the following players to the practice squad:
OL Calvin Anderson
OL Ben Braden
CB Kyron Brown
QB Luke Falk
LB Jamey Mosley
WR Jeff Smith
RB Valentine Holmes— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 1, 2019
ESPN’s Field Yates named an eighth member to join up, as the Jets will reportedly add former Philadelphia Eagles rusher Josh Adams. The addition will reunite Adams with Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who served as the Eagles’ vice president of player personnel. Adams earned 511 rushing yards as an undrafted free agent last season, a tally good for 10th amongst rookies.
Former Eagles RB Josh Adams is signing to Jets the practice squad, per source. Philly’s leading rusher last season reunites with GM Joe Douglass in New York.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 1, 2019
The Jets open their 2019 regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS).
