Jets shake up RB depth chart, waive De’Angelo Henderson

Earlier this week, the New York Jets officially announced that they had waived 26-year-old running back De’Angelo Henderson.

With 2019 training camp now underway and the regular season fast approaching, the New York Jets have begun to trim down their roster in order to prepare for what lies ahead. With that, the team announced on Tuesday that running back De’Angelo Henderson had been waived.

Henderson, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, played his collegiate ball at Coastal Carolina. He was signed to the Jets practice squad last September and spent the majority of last season there. He did, however, appear in three games for the Jets, rushing for 19 yards and fumbling once.

Given the Jets’ crowded running back room, this move shouldn’t surprise many. As of now, the Jets have five running backs under contract: Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Elijah McGuire, and Trenton Cannon. As the regular season approaches, that number will likely continue to go down.

Bell, for example, is the clear cut starter after having signed a four-year $52.5 million contract with the Jets this offseason. Montgomery also inked a deal with the green and white following the 2018 season and given his versatility, should be safe in terms of a roster spot.

That leaves McGuire, Powell, and Cannon to fight for one or perhaps two more sports. McGuire, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jets, has dealt with injuries but has proven to have value as a situational back. Powell, meanwhile, is the longest-tenured Jet and is coming off a season in which he suffered a career-threatening neck injury. He did just recently sign a new deal with the team, however.

Cannon, meanwhile, seems to truly be on the hot seat. The 25-year-old was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the hope that he could provide the Jets with a spark in returning both kicks and punts. He’s struggled in that area, however, and if he isn’t going to be used on special teams, there likely isn’t room for him on the roster.

What are your thoughts on this move? Which player currently on the Jets roster benefits the most from Henderson’s release? Give us your take in the comment section!