Getty New York Jets wide receiver Vyncint Smith has signed to the NYJ practice squad.
If you thought August 31, 2021, was a roller coaster ride, September 1 might be even wilder — especially if you’re the New York Jets.
General manager Joe Douglas proved this roster was not complete on Wednesday as official waiver claims were finally announced per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
Waiver claims!
The Jets appeared on this list four times, as they gained two players and officially lost two of their roster cuts from August 31. They also signed several prospects to the practice squad. We break it all down below.
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Jets Claim Quincy Williams & Tim Ward
My partner Boy Green had the call yesterday, and what a call it was. The first waiver claim by New York was linebacker Quincy Williams, brother of Jets’ star Quinnen Williams.
The former Jacksonville Jaguar is a 4-3 outside linebacker that was a decent run defender in 2020 according to Pro Football Focus. He had his best grade in this department with a 65.8 but otherwise, he’s a work in progress.
A third-round pick in 2019, Quincy Williams started eight games for the Jags his rookie year and appeared in seven during 2020. He has 59 career tackles and one fumble forced, with some experience on special teams.
Tim Ward is a defensive end from the Kansas City Chiefs that started as an undrafted prospect in 2020. He had one sack and five tackles in the only game he played in his rookie campaign, an impressive stat line for a single contest.
This preseason, Ward had three sacks and two forced fumbles according to PFF, with a pass-rush grade of 78.6 and a run defense grade of 63.6. He’s an upside edge rusher waived by one of the best rosters in football.
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Jets Sign Several Fan Favorites to Practice Squad
Defensive back Elijah Campbell and offensive lineman Corey Levin were the only two Jets players that were claimed on September 1. These two are no longer with the franchise.
UPDATE: Quarterback James Morgan has since signed with the Carolina Panthers. The franchise could be using Morgan as a playbook spy for Week 1. Either way, the 2020 fourth-round pick is gone and a failed Adam Gase experiment comes to an end.
On the bright side, many Gang Green prospects went unclaimed, with the headliners being tight end Kenny Yeboah and wide receiver Vyncint Smith. Here is the full list of unclaimed Jets players that could return via the practice squad (some of which already have).
Kenny Yeboah went unclaimed #Jets fans… also unclaimed, Lamar Jackson, Lawrence Cager, Josh Adams, JT Hassell, Hamilcar Rashed, Vyncint Smith, Noah Dawkins, Milo Eifler, Grant Hermanns among others. some vets still available to return: Blair, JJ, Griff, Neasman, Smart, Valoaga
Yeboah (TE), Smith (WR), Lawrence Cager (WR), Lamar Jackson (CB), Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (DE), Josh Adams (RB), J.T. Hassell (S), Noah Dawkins (LB), Camilo Eifler (LB), Grant Hermanns (OT), Ronald Blair (DE), Sharrod Neasman (S), Tanzel Smart (DT), Jeremiah Valoaga (DE), Ryan Griffin (TE), Josh Johnson (QB), David Moore (G), Isaiah Williams (G), Daniel Brown (TE), Aaron Adeoye (DE), D.J. Montgomery (WR), Jimmy Murray (C/G) and Del’Shawn Phillips (LB) all went unclaimed.
The first that was signed to the practice squad was veteran defensive tackle Smart, per uStadium, a solid contributor in training camp that was beaten out by Nathan Shepherd and Jonathan Marshall.
Source: #Jets are signing DT Tanzel Smart to the practice squad.
Next was the man in the cover photo, Smith, per Connor Hughes. The burner of a wide-out has a unique skill set, but struggles with consistency.
The Jets are signing Vyncint Smith to their practice squad, per source
The popular rookie tight end also secured a spot on the practice squad, to the cheers of many anxious fans. Yeboah had a stellar performance in preseason week three after a quiet camp.
The #Jets signed Kenny Yeboah to their practice squad, per source
Veteran quarterback Josh Johnson is also signing to the practice squad per Mike Mitchell, the reporter who had the inside scoop on his initial release.
Popular running back Adams was the next to be announced by Hughes yet again.
One more previously cut Gang Green player was spotted in practice, defensive end Blair. This should come as no surprise, as Blair signed with the Jets to remain with Robert Saleh. He will do so on the practice squad per Al Iannazzone.
And a couple of more Jets that were cut at practice today, safety Neasman and wide receiver Montgomery, per Rich Cimini.
A big rookie edge rusher looks to be returning to the Green & White as well, the UDFA Rashed out of Oregon State, per DJ Bien-Aime.
Later in the afternoon, 13 Jets cuts were announced as official members of the practice squad, including the eight above. The extra five players were Lamar Jackson (CB), Del’Shawn Phillips (LB), Isaiah Williams (G), Murray (C) and Hermanns (OT). Here is Brian Costello tweeting out the full list, provided by the franchise itself.
Jets practice squad so far:
RB Josh Adams
DE Ronald Blair
OL Grant Hermanns
CB Lamar Jackson
QB Josh Johnson
WR D.J Montgomery
OL Jimmy Murray
LB Del’Shawn Phillips
DL Hamilcar Rashed
DL Tanzel Smart
WR Vyncint Smith
OL Isaiah Williams
TE Kenny Yeboah
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