NY Jets promote 3 players from practice squad including QB Mike White

The NY Jets have promoted three players from the practice squad including Mike White.

The NY Jets finalized their gameday roster for Week 1 on Saturday promoting three players from the practice squad ahead of their season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jets announced that quarterback Mike White, running back Josh Adams, and wide receiver Josh Malone had been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

The NFL’s new practice squad rules allow teams to promote up to two players from their practice squad each week to make for a 55-man active roster. Players can be promoted twice throughout the season without being subject to waivers.

In this case, the Jets also had an open spot on their 53-man roster meaning that they were able to promote three players.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that White will be the team’s backup quarterback in Week 1 as opposed to the expected David Fales. The Jets opted to keep both quarterbacks on the practice squad, but White was the clear-cut better option after a strong training camp.

Of course, this raises the question of why Fales is still on the practice squad if he’s not being developed nor being used as a temporary backup.

Regardless, this is clearly a victory for rewarding players based on their performance, and White being chosen as the backup quarterback until Joe Flacco returns is proof of that.

The NY Jets also promoted Josh Adams and Josh Malone to the active roster.

As for Adams, his presence is needed given the lack of running back depth with rookie La’Mical Perine out for Sunday’s game. Aside from Adams, the Jets have just Le’Veon Bell and Frank Gore as available running backs.

Adams saw limited action last season but was actually Philadelphia’s leading rusher two years ago so it’s not like he lacks NFL experience. Don’t be surprised if he receives a few carries on top of playing some special teams.

Malone also adds important depth to a receiver position that is desperately in need of some. With Denzel Mims out with a hamstring injury, Malone will likely be the team’s top backup outside receiver behind Breshad Perriman and Chris Hogan.

And given that Perriman is still nursing a knee injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Malone see some snaps on Sunday as well.

Expect all three of White, Adams, and Malone to be active in Week 1.