Jets 2021 Roster Cutdown Tracker: Team shrinking group to 53

The Jets, along with every other team in the NFL, must cut their rosters down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

“This is by far the worst part of football. For some of [the players], the dream of playing professional football is over. For some, they’re still going to be able to continue on. You never want to be the one to deliver bad news and you just hurt for them because you know how much the effort and how much work they put into it. It’s not easy, it’ll never be easy, and it doesn’t matter what role you are whenever you have to tell somebody that their dream of playing professional football is possibly over, it’s not a good thing.”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh uttered the above words when asked by the New York Post‘s Brian Costello about the annual cutdown day.

Teams, including the Jets, will need to shrink their rosters down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Some players could head to other teams; others may have their careers ended. But it’s what needs to be done ahead of the 2021 season.

The Jets have a ton of decisions to make in a short amount of time — which players will not be remaining on the active roster?

CB Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson has been cut. He wasn’t at practice today so not a shocker. #Jets

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 30, 2021

WR Lawrence Cager

The #Jets have started their cuts. Among them: WR Lawrence Cager, sources say.

Caught a TD against the #Giants.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 30, 2021

S Bennett Jackson

to make room for Lawson, they released S Bennett Jackson (again) https://t.co/yLV0bwCqI3

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 30, 2021

S J.T. Hassell

The Jets are releasing S J.T. Hassell, according to his agency @OSMG_LLC. Looks like Sharrod Neasman will stick as the backup safety, joining Ashtyn Davis (activated from PUP). #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 30, 2021

DE Jeremiah Valoaga

The Jets are releasing DE Jeremiah Valoaga, per source. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 30, 2021

Even with Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry both out for the year and Kyle Phillips on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga still couldn’t survive the roster cuts.

OL Corey Levin

Jets also cut OL Corey Levin, per source.

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 30, 2021

DE Aaron Adeoye

A few other cuts from the Jets today: DL Aaron Adeoye and CB Lamar Jackson, per sources.

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 30, 2021

C Jimmy Murray

The Jets have cut C Jimmy Murray. … Sounds like a good shot he lands back on the practice squad.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 31, 2021

QB Josh Johnson

The Jets have released QB Josh Johnson, per source. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 31, 2021

Josh Johnson put together a good showing in the team’s third and final preseason game, going 7-for-8 for 73 yards and a touchdown.

However, the Jets are staying young in the quarterback room — Mike White (26) will back up Zach Wilson (22).

OG David Moore

The Giants have cut WR Damion Willis, per a source.

And the Jets have cut G David Moore, per a source.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 31, 2021

DE Hamilcar Rashed

The Jets are waiving DE Hamilcar Rashed, per source. #nyj

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 31, 2021

WR Vyncint Smith

The #Jets waived WR Vyncint Smith, per source.

Was working with second team throughout the summer.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 31, 2021

RB Josh Adams

#Jets releasing RB Josh Adams

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 31, 2021

TE Kenny Yeboah, Ryan Griffin, Dan Brown, QB James Morgan

The Jets not only traded TE Chris Herndon, but they also cut TE Ryan Griffin, Dan Brown and Kenny Yeboah.

They also cut QB James Morgan.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 31, 2021

This comes after Yeboah caught two touchdown passes in the Jets’ final preseason game, including the one as time expired that led to the tying two-point conversion.

Oh, and as for the James Morgan release, it seems the Jets will be moving forward with just Zach Wilson and Mike White at quarterback (at least for the time being).

DL Ronnie Blair, S Elijah Campbell, LB Noah Dawkins, LB Camilo Eifler, OL Grant Hermanns, WR DJ Montgomery, S Sharrod Neasman, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, DL Tanzel Smart, OL Isaiah Williams

More cuts: DL Ronnie Blair, S Elijah Campbell, LB Noah Dawkins, LB Milo Eifler, OL Grant Hermanns, WR DJ Montgomery, S Sharrod Neasman, LB Del'Shawn Phillips, DL Tanzel Smart, and OL Isaiah Williams.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 31, 2021