The New York Jets’ roster moves ahead of Week 3 are in.

According to Zack Rosenblatt, the Jets are signing wide receiver/kick returner Jamaal Pritchett to their active roster while elevating veteran WR Sterling Shepard and kicker Jason Sanders.

Following two strong summers with the Jets as a special teamer and WR, Pritchett is in line to make his NFL debut against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. With the continued absence of Kene Nwangwu and Arian Smith’s season-ending ACL injury, Pritchett is most likely to serve as one of the Jets’ kick returners against Detroit.

Shepard, on the other hand, may actually play a notable offensive role on Sunday. Omar Cooper Jr. and Tim Patrick remain on injured reserve with an ankle injury, while Smith is now done for the year, and Adonai Mitchell is questionable for the game with a finger injury.

That said, the Jets currently have just three WRs on their active roster who are not on this week’s injury report: Garrett Wilson, Isaiah Williams, and rookie UDFA Malik McClain, who was signed from the practice squad earlier in the week. Shepard is now expected to be the fourth healthy receiver available.

Over the past two years (2024-25), Shepard played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 27 games over that span, Shepard caught 71 of his 104 targets (68.3%) for 705 yards and two touchdowns. He is in his 11th NFL season and has played multiple roles in recent seasons, on the outside and in the slot, giving the Jets added versatility.

For a practice squad WR, given the situation the Jets are in, there aren’t many better options than Shepard.

Sanders remains the Jets’ starting kicker after two solid weeks, converting four of his five attempts (80%), including two makes on three tries from 50+. This will be his last elevation before the Jets must decide whether to sign him to their active roster.

Kicker Blake Grupe, whom the Jets claimed off waivers, remains on the 53-man roster, but has yet to appear in a game. With another competent outing from Sanders on Sunday, the Jets could be forced to cut Grupe and put Sanders on the 53.

Unlike some weeks, all three players elevated for Sunday’s clash are expected to play key roles.