The New York Jets unveiled a 17-member Practice Squad on Wednesday evening, including an International Pathway player exemption.
All 17 P-Squad signees were in training camp with the Jets this summer, which means former first-round safety Lewis Cine was not on the list. Cine, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, reportedly agreed to terms with New York on Wednesday, but the deal appears to be on hold.
Due to the Jets reaching the P-Squad player limit, they would have to release someone in order to add Cine. Another potential change to the Practice Squad membership could come in the form of second-year wide receiver Jason Brownlee, who made the initial 53-man roster before being axed one day later.
Jets’ Initial Practice Squad Signees
LB Sam Eguavoen
The veteran linebacker appeared in 15 games for the Jets in 2023, mostly on special teams. The 31-year-old Eguavoen made 66 appearances for the Miami Dolphins prior to landing in New York.
OL Obinna Eze
Eze, an NFL International Pathway player, has also spent time in the USFL. The Jets signed him to their Practice Squad last December and he spent this summer in Florham Park. His international status makes him exempt from the 16-man P-Squad limit.
TE Anthony Firkser
The Jets signed the veteran tight end on July 30 while releasing fullback Nick Bawden. Most recently with the Detroit Lions, the New Jersey-born Firkser has played in 71 NFL career games.
OL Jake Hanson
The veteran interior lineman, who was a Round 6 pick in 2020 by the Green Bay Packers, made seven appearances on the Jets’ injury-depleted offensive line in 2023. Four of his five career starts are with the Green & White.
DL Bruce Hector
The defensive tackle, who will turn 30 years old on October 7, has been in and out of the NFL since 2018 with stops in the XFL along the way. New York signed Hector following the 2023 Hall of Fame Game and he spent the season as a P-Squad player.
DL Jalyn Holmes
The 2018 fourth-round draft pick has 39 career regular season appearances under his belt. He began the 2023 campaign on the Jets’ Practice Squad before appearing in five games later in the year.
S Jalen Key
The 2024 Mr. Irrelevant will remain with the organization after totaling 11 tackles during exhibition play. Key was a starter for Alabama in 2023 after transferring from UAB.
TE Zack Kuntz
New York isn’t willing to give up on the raw 2023 seventh-round tight end who possesses great physical upside. Kuntz, who can contribute on special teams, showed little improvement as a pass-catcher this summer.
OL Kohl Levao
The Hawai’i product signed with the Jets in June after playing for the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas. The interior offensive line earned a respectable 77.7 performance grade from Pro Football Focus this preseason.
QB Adrian Martinez
Fresh off the UFL MVP award and championship title, Martinez went 25-of-47 passing for 270 yards and one interception over three preseason games. The former Nebraska and Kansas State starter can also tuck it and run as he rushed six times for 51 yards.
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
The former San Francisco 49ers’ undrafted free agent made his NFL debut with the Jets, playing in two games last year. He logged 43 special teams snaps.
WR Lance McCutcheon
After spending the 2023 campaign as a Jets’ Practice Squad player, the Montana State product caught 2 of 7 receiving targets this preseason. McCutcheon appeared in 10 games with the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie in 2022.
S Jarius Monroe
Initially thought to be a camp body, Monroe apparently showed untapped potential this preseason. The 2024 East West Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP, who competed for Tulane in 2023, was New York second-leading tackler with 16 stops during the exhibition schedule.
CB Kendall Sheffield
The Jets released cornerback Nehemiah Shelton and replaced him with Sheffield during the first week of camp. The former fourth-round pick has familiarity with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich from their shared time as Atlanta Falcons.
WR Brandon Smith
The Jets’ preseason leader in receiving yards (120) has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, but has yet to appear in a regular season game. He signed with New York on August 2 after spending the spring with the UFL’s DC Defenders.
CB Tre Swilling
Swilling joined the Jets during the second week of training camp. The cornerback played in two games for the San Francisco 49ers last year. In preseason play with the Jets, he totaled two tackles and one pass breakup on defense and forced a fumble on special teams.
RB Xazavian Valladay
The former Arizona State running back returns to the Jets’ Practice Squad for the second year in a row. Valladay was the leading receiver with 62 yards in the preseason win over the New York Giants. He totaled 111 yards from scrimmage this summer, including 45 rush yards on 25 carries.
More New York Jets News:
• Jets' smartest moves from NFL Cutdown Day
• Jets trade undrafted preseason standout to AFC East rival
• Jets' former starting quarterback landing on Bills' Practice Squad
• Highly-touted undrafted rookie earns preseason plaudits in Jets' roster bid
• Ex-Jets' franchise quarterback dominates in Denver's exhibition win
