Is the Jets’ summer hero set to contribute to a Christmas miracle?
The New York Jets have announced the activation of quarterback Chris Streveler and safety Will Parks for Thursday night’s crucial contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video/WNYW). The pair will return to the practice squad after the game, the team confirmed.
Parks, of course, is no stranger to the Jets’ defense, having appeared in 15 games over the last two seasons. While he was released last week, he was brought back to the practice squad and called upon to start last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions. Though primarily used on green special teams, Parks played every defensive snap as a safety in place of the injured Lamarcus Joyner against Detroit and earned a team-best nine tackles.
Jets fans are no doubt intrigued by the return of Streveler, who became a metropolitan gridiron folk hero of sorts for his stellar preseason play over the summer. The former Winnipeg Blue Bomber put up 277 yards, five touchdown passes, and a 124.6 passer rating over three appearances, capping things off with a game-winning drive against the New York Giants in the annual summer showdown between Garden State combatants.
Streveler has seven games of NFL experience under his belt, all coming with the Arizona Cardinals over the prior two seasons. While it’s possible that Streveler could be the backup to Zach Wilson as the latter prepares to make his second consecutive start amidst the Jets’ late playoff push, some envision that he could be used to short-yardage and/or goal line situations. Joe Flacco was Wilson’s backup last week as Mike White continues to recover from rib injuries sustained in Week 14’s visit to Buffalo.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
