The New York Jets signed veteran RB Deon Jackson yesterday and released WR Hamze El-Zayat.
With Tarik Cohen placed on the reserve/retired list on August 1st, the Jets had to bring in an RB and their answer is the 25-year-old out of Duke. Jackson played in four games last season with three different teams (Browns, Colts and Giants) totaling 16 yards rushing.
This signing isn't the worst news if you're Izzy Abanikanda. The second-year RB struggled last season and his job with the Jets was potentially on the line with Cohen thriving as a return specialist in camp. Abanikanda has limited reps as a kick returner having only two returns for a total of 31 yards. Xavier Gipson was the primary kick returner for the Jets in 2023 and seems to be in line to have the same role, but didn't produce much at the position in his rookie year hence why Cohen was brought into camp.
Now with Jackson in the mold, it's one less player who has NFL experience returning kicks as well as punts, and Abanikanda's opportunity to make an impact on special teams just increased.
The Jets have a crowded RB room that includes superstar Breece Hall, rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, along with Abanikanda. It seems that Jackson will be a camp body as the Jets try and figure out a replacement for Cohen.
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