QB depth has new meaning with Jets
Let the competition continue.
The Jets finagled their roster so both quarterbacks David Fales and Mike White remained around to battle for the opportunity to be Sam Darnold’s backup in Week 1. One day after they were released as part of the mass cutdown to 53 players for the regular season, Fales and White were resigned as the Jets filled 15 of 16 spots on the practice squad.
The Jets kept two backup quarterbacks over Fales and
White, but Joe Flacco missed all of training camp recovering from neck surgery and rookie fourth- round draft pick James Morgan is more of a long-term project because of his college offensive system. If the Jets cut Morgan, he would’ve been subjected to waivers and become a more desirable pickup than either of the two journeymen.
Cornerback Nate Hairston, center Josh Andrews and tight end Daniel Brown bypassed the practice squad and re-signed to the 53-man roster to fill three holes likely created by moving three unspecified teammates to injured reserve. An unlimited number of players can return from injured reserve after missing at least three weeks.
Acquired by the Jets in a trade from the Colts last August to become a six-game starter with one interception, Hairston was pushing for a starting role again in camp while Brian Poole was sidelined. Andrews is the backup center, replacing the cut Jonotthan Harrison. Brown collected seven catches and a touchdown last season but is one of the team’s top special teams players.
The practice squad will carry more significance than ever before in this COVIDimpacted season, especially given the three-to-four-day entry process for adding new players who must undergo testing.
A first-year NFL rule allowing teams to promote two players from the practice squad to the active roster for games is a blessing for the Jets. In this case, it’s a nearcertainty one spot will go to a quarterback, which lessens the roster squeeze caused by keeping Flacco around rather than putting him on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the first six weeks minimum.
NFL teams can expand to 55 players, but a maximum of 48 (up from 46) can be declared active 90 minutes before kickoff. The Jets can include four quarterbacks on their 55 but only have Darnold and either Fales or White among the 48 active. The new rules for an expanded practice squad (up from 10 players last season) include six with an unlimited amount of NFL experience and four who can be protected each week from signing to another team’s 53-man roster. A player can be promoted to the active roster and dropped back down twice without being subject to another team’s waiver claim.
The practice squad also includes running back Josh Adams; wide receivers Lawrence Cager, Donte Moncrief, Josh Malone and D.J. Montgomery; tight ends Bronson Kaufusi and Ross Travis; offensive linemen James Murray and Corbin Kaufusi; and defensive backs Javelin Guidry, Bennett Jackson, Lamar Jackson and Zane Lewis.
Fales, 29, essentially has followed coach Adam Gase throughout his career, from the Bears to the Dolphins to the Jets. He has played in five career games, including two (without a pass attempt) for the Jets last season.
White, 25, spent most of last season running the scout team but flashed improvement during training camp.