Jets claim ex-Cowboy Whitehead

The Jets are feeling Lucky. The team claimed kick returner Lucky Whitehead off waivers Wednesday, two days after the Cowboys decided to release him following an arrest that turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

The move makes plenty of sense for the Jets, who are looking for a return man. It is low-risk, as Whitehead is scheduled to make a non-guaranteed $615,000 this season, the final year of his rookie deal. If the Jets cut him, there is no salary-cap hit.

Whitehead, who is a wide receiver, will join the competition to be the return man for the Jets. Last year’s primary returner Jalin Marshall is suspended for the first four games of the season. The Jets are expected to try out a number of players in the return role during training camp.

Whitehead was linked to a shoplifting arrest in Virginia on Monday. Despite denials from Whitehead, the Cowboys informed him he would be released hours later, and it became official Tuesday.

The Prince William County Police confirmed Tuesday the man accused of larceny did not have identification, but provided the personal information of Rodney Darnell Whitehead Jr. He was not Lucky Whitehead, who was not in the area at the time of the incident.

Despite the police statement, the Cowboys went through with waiving Whitehead. They defended the decision saying it was not based solely on this incident.

Whitehead is understandably upset with the decision.

“Let’s not sugarcoat anything,” Whitehead told the Dallas Morning News. “I was pretty much being called a liar.”

The issue came to light Monday when TMZ reported Whitehead had failed to make a court appearance and a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

Whitehead has averaged 25.6 yards per kick return in his career and 6.9 yards per punt return. He has nine career receptions.

The Jets cut wide receiver Devin Street to clear the roster spot for Whitehead.