The New York Jets added a familiar face with starting experience to their Practice Squad on Wednesday.
The team announced the signing of former Jets' starter Connor McGovern, bringing back the veteran who was lost to injury seven games into the 2023 season. In a corresponding move, New York released running back Xazavian Valladay to make room for their old center.
The 31-year-old McGovern started 48 of a possible 50 games for the Jets from 2020 through 2022. After re-signing to a one-year contract, he was the Week 1 starter at center in 2023 until suffering a left injury against the New York Giants in late October. With McGovern on the shelf, second-round draft pick Joe Tippmann moved from right guard to center and has been the starter there ever since.
With veteran backup center Wes Schweitzer on Injured Reserve, McGovern will seemingly provide insurance for Tippmann. The 2016 fifth-round draft pick, who kicked off his career with the Denver Broncos, has 102 career regular season appearances, including 91 starts.
McGovern, who did not find a suitor this past offseason in free agency, proved to be a reliable veteran during his initial Jets' tenure. He also established a center-quarterback relationship with Aaron Rodgers dating back to 2023 OTAs.
Valladay was in his second season as a Jets' Practice Squad player. He was active for the 2023 season finale but did not see an offensive snap.
Earlier in the day, New York signed undrafted rookie linebacker Jackson Sirmon to a P-Squad deal. Sirmon, a Cal product, was in training camp with the Jets this past summer but did not survive cutdown day.
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