After being a surprise healthy scratch in last week’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced that fourth-round rookie wide receiver Arian Smith will suit up for today’s clash against the Miami Dolphins.
Smith was a healthy scratch for undisclosed reasons. When pressed about Smith’s absence, Glenn refused to elaborate, answering, “That’s something that me and him will keep between us, just like I always do when things like that happen.”
Through 11 appearances this year (five starts), Smith has received limited opportunities, catching six of 10 targets for 47 yards and adding 11 yards on the ground across three carries.
Smith has also carved out a role on special teams, logging 34 snaps, most of them at gunner, where he has one tackle. The Georgia product has also handled two kick returns for 24.5 yards per return.
After a quiet start to his rookie campaign, the final five games offer Smith a prime opportunity to show he belongs in the offensive mix, and to stake an early claim on a bigger role heading into his second NFL season.
Known for his jaw-dropping athleticism, Smith ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The rookie also posted a 38-inch vertical, leaped 127 inches in the broad jump, clocked 6.82 seconds in the three-cone drill, and finished the short shuttle in 4.19 seconds.
As the Jets welcome Tua Tagovailoa and the 5-7 Dolphins to MetLife Stadium, Smith will be active. His return ends a one-game hiatus and puts him back in the green and white for New York’s 13th contest of the year, a divisional meeting in which the Jets aim to prevent a season sweep after falling to Miami in Week 4.
