Ahead of their Week 3 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New York Jets announced that they have elevated quarterback Brady Cook and safety Dean Clark from their practice squad.
Cook, 23, signed with the team in April as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri. Throughout training camp and the preseason, Cook beat out Adrian Martinez for the team’s QB3 job on the practice squad. In three preseason games this summer, Cook completed 66% of his passing attempts for 235 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.
The 23-year-old’s preseason film highlighted his intriguing awareness for a rookie signal-caller, which Jets X-Factor’s Robby Sabo displayed.
With veteran Tyrod Taylor getting the start on Sunday as starter Justin Fields recovers from a concussion, Cook will serve as the team’s backup quarterback against Tampa Bay.
Clark, 24, joined New York after going undrafted out of Fresno State. Throughout the preseason, the 24-year-old played with a high level of physicality in the box.
In three preseason games, Clark earned a 67.3 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus while securing six tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. However, the Fresno State product also missed three tackles (25% missed tackle rate) while struggling in coverage, allowing three of his four targets to be completed for 27 yards, including a 21-yard play.
Clark joins the action on the team’s active roster as veteran Tony Adams was ruled out of Sunday’s matchup due to a hip injury.
Cook, an undrafted free agent just months ago, now sits one injury away from taking snaps in the regular season, while Clark steps into a backup role behind fellow rookie Malachi Moore, who is set for his first NFL start.
