Track the New York Jets’ 53-man roster cuts live
With the preseason slate over and the opener in Carolina less than two weeks away, the New York Jets‘ next task lies in one of the most difficult stanzas of football: cutting down to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
New York has plenty of tough choices to make after its three-game preseason. Fierce competitions ensued at positions like cornerback, wide receiver, and right tackle, while nearly every position group on the roster featured a battle for a roster spot at the bottom of the depth chart.
Of course, the Jets’ initial 53-man roster will most likely not be final. The Jets could pursue players cut by other teams. Back in 2019 – Joe Douglas‘ first season as the team’s general manager – the Jets added four players following roster cuts: John Franklin-Myers, Braxton Berrios, Bennett Jackson, and Kaare Vedvik.
Douglas and the Jets also have to make some injury-related decisions. For example, linebacker Jarrad Davis will likely make the 53-man roster before being placed on injured reserve.
For now, it’s all about getting the roster down to an initial 53 players. Stay up to date with Gang Green’s departures below.
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
Injuries and releases in the secondary put Jackson, an undrafted rookie from Nebraska, in the starting lineup for six games last season. Jackson struggled in his preseason trio, allowing 56 yards on five attempts toward his coverage area.
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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
Cager stuck around after being added as an undrafted rookie in 2019. He partook in two regular season games last season, earning a pair of receptions for 35 yards. His summer slate saw him catch four passes for 25 yards, including a two-yard scoring grab in the finale against Philadelphia.
Additionally, we've released S Bennett Jackson.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 30, 2021
S Bennett Jackson
In confirming the acquisition of defensive lineman Shaq Lawson from Houston, the Jets also announced the release of Jackson. The former New York Giants draft pick appeared in six games over the last two seasons and tallied six tackles and a pass breakup over the recently wrapped summer trio.
A few other cuts from the Jets today: DL Aaron Adeoye and CB Lamar Jackson, per sources.
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 30, 2021
DL Aaron Adeoye
Adeoye was a late arrival to the Jets after spending most of the summer with the Baltimore Ravens. The former AAF starter picked up a tackle in Friday’s equalizing effort against the Eagles.
safety J.T. Hassell is being released by the Jets according to his agent @OSMG_LLC. Hassell was having a good camp and preseason. NFL. A tough business.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 30, 2021
S J.T. Hassell
Formerly of Cleveland, Hassell was one of the Jets’ summer stars through a tally of nine tackles and two sacks over the latter two exhibitions. He appeared in three regular season games with the Jets last year.
The Jets are releasing DE Jeremiah Valoaga, per source. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 30, 2021
DE Jeremiah Valoaga
Valoaga signed with the Jets in July and previously worked with head coach Robert Saleh in San Francisco. He tallied nine tackles in the preseason trio, eight coming over the latter two contests.
Jets also cut OL Corey Levin, per source.
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 30, 2021
OL Corey Levin
The interior blocker signed with the Jets in April, having last appeared in a regular season game with the Tennessee Titans in 2018. He had a fumble recovery in the Jets’ opening win over the Giants.
The Jets have released QB Josh Johnson, per source. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 31, 2021
QB Josh Johnson
The well-traveled Johnson’s second tenure with the Jets comes to an end after a brief stint in 2015. He served as the starting quarterback in the Jets’ final preseason game against Philadelphia, completing 7-of-8 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown to Lawrence Cager.
The Jets are waiving OL David Moore, per source
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 31, 2021
OL David Moore
Moore was one of the more sought-after blocking prospects out of Grambling. He burst onto the NFL scene with a strong showing at Mobile’s Senior Bowl and briefly spent time in the Carolina Panthers’ system.
The Jets are waiving DE Hamilcar Rashed, per source. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 31, 2021
DE Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
The undrafted Rashed should probably be a prime practice squad candidate with the injuries on the Jets’ front seven looming large. He had ten tackles over the Jets’ postseason trio, including 1.5 sacks in the opening win over the Giants.
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
OL Jimmy Murray
The Holy Cross alum spent the last two seasons on and off the Jets’ practice squad and active roster, but did not appear in any regular season games. Such experience in that regard consists of two contests with Kansas City in 2018.
The #Jets waived WR Vyncint Smith, per source.
Was working with second team throughout the summer.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 31, 2021
WR Vyncint Smith
Smith was competing for one of the reserve receiver roles on the Jets and was set to enter his third season in green. He tallied 79 yards on six receptions over the summer trio.
The #Jets cut RB Josh Adams, per source
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 31, 2021
RB Josh Adams
Adams got lost in the fold with Tevin Coleman and Michael Carter added to the Jets’ rushing proceedings, but he made the most of his opportunities. He averaged nearly six yards a carry over the final five games of last season (148 yards on 25 attempts) and picked up a team-best 62 yards on the ground in Friday’s preseason finale against the Eagles.
The #Jets waived rookie TE Kenny Yeboah, whom they will try to add to their practice squad if he clears waivers, per source
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 31, 2021
TE Kenny Yeboah
Yeboah will forever hold a spot in Jets summer lore. The undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss caught the equalizing touchdown pass on a Hail Mary from James Morgan in the Jets’ Friday tie against Philadelphia, becoming the first New York tight end since Rich Caster to earn at least 100 yards in an exhibition contest.
(The following cuts above and below have been confirmed by the Jets)
DL Ronald Blair
Blair missed all of the 2020 season with a torn ACL and joined the Jets in June, reuniting with former San Francisco defensive boss Robert Saleh. He tweaked his hamstring during the second preseason game in Green Bay.
TE Daniel Brown
Brown was previously a part of the Jets’ final cuts in 2020 but re-joined the team two days later. The former Raven and Bear appeared in all 32 Jets games over the past two seasons, hauling in 103 yards on nine receptions.
S Elijah Campbell
The AAF and XFL defender partook in three games with the Jets last season. He tied for the team lead with six tackles last Friday night.
LB Noah Dawkins
Dawkins appeared in five games last season after splitting the prior campaign between Cincinnati and Tampa Bay. He ended his preseason with four tackles and a pass breakup.
LB Camilo Eifler
Eifler joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. He tallied seven tackles over the three exhibition games, five coming in the win over the Packers.
TE Ryan Griffin
The former Texan earned a three-year extension in the midst of his first year with the Jets but saw his numbers regress to 86 yards on nine receptions. With the release of Griffin and Brown and the trade of Chris Herndon, Tyler Kroft and Trevon Wesco are the only tight ends on the Jets’ initial roster.
OL Grant Hermanns
An undrafted free agent out of Purdue, Hermanns appeared in each of the Jets’ three preseason games. He recovered from a life-threatening staph infection to earn his NFL opportunity.
WR D.J. Montgomery
The Austin Peay alum joined the Jets after spending the 2019 campaign in Cleveland. He earned three receptions for 33 yards this summer.
QB James Morgan
The Jets are officially moving on from their fourth-round selection in the virtual draft, leaving Mike White as the primary backup to Zach Wilson. He earned a 79.2 passer rating in his first action as a Jet after sitting inactive for all 16 games last season.
S Sharrod Neasman
The departure of the Jeff Ulbrich disciple coincides with the activation of Ashtyn Davis from the PUP list. Neasman earned seven tackles during the preseason process.
LB Del’Shawn Phillips
This former JUCO star turned Illinois standout spent last season in Buffalo. He likewise tallied six tackles in Friday’s equalizer.
DL Tanzel Smart
The former LA Rams draft pick showed up in three games for the Jets last season. Had had three tackles and two further quarterback hits over the summer trio.
OL Isaiah Williams
Williams was on and off San Francisco’s practice squad last season. He joined the Jets shortly after the 49ers bid him farewell on Aug. 11.
