Jets’ latest roster moves threaten to delay the rise of fan-favorite rookie

Everyone loves an underdog story. That's partially why New York Jets fans fell in love with undersized undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett following his standout performance this summer.

Pritchett made a strong push for a spot on the Jets' 53-man roster, outplaying the incumbent Xavier Gipson as both a receiver and return specialist, but the team ultimately opted to stick with the incumbent instead.

But after just one game — one marred by two fumbles — the Jets officially moved on from their 2023 Week 1 hero, releasing him on Wednesday. Many assumed that Gipson's release would pave the way for Pritchett to take his place as the team's new punt returner, but that might not be the case.

The Jets signed wide receiver Isaiah Williams off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad to take Gipson's place on the 53-man roster and added running back Keilan Robinson to their practice squad on Tuesday. Both Williams and Robinson have extensive experience as returners and threaten to take Pritchett's spot.

Jets fans shouldn't expect to see Jamaal Pritchett in Week 2

Williams was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2024, and he impressed the coaching staff enough to make the team's initial 53-man roster last season.

The Illinois product appeared in just two games for the Lions, returning one kick for 36 yards, before he was waived upon the return of Jameson Williams. The Bengals would claim him off waivers, and he'd quickly carve out a role as both a kick and punt returner.

Williams returned 11 kicks for 93 yards in six games with Cincinnati, adding four kick returns for 133 yards. He notably did not record a single muff or punt in eight games as a rookie.

Then there's Robinson, who was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Texas running back missed much of his rookie season due to injury and only appeared in six games, returning two kicks for 34 yards.

Robinson was released by the Jaguars in June and spent the summer with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Jets' practice squad this week. Both Williams and Robinson give the Jets extra options for both their kick and punt return jobs.

That's especially important given the fact that star kick returner Kene Nwangwu suffered a hamstring injury in the team's Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his status for this Sunday is in question. The severity of his injury is unknown, but it seems unlikely he will play in Week 2.

The Jets also have rookie wide receiver Arian Smith and running back Isaiah Davis as options for the kick returner position. Smith also did a little punt returning this summer.

These moves make it clear that the Jets aren't sold on Pritchett being Gipson's replacement, possibly a result of ball security concerns that popped up in the preseason.

The safe bet is to assume that Williams, who was signed to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, factors into the team's plans in one way or another, quite possibly as the primary punt return specialist.

The Jets are likely to hold an open competition in practice this week between Williams, Robinson, Smith, Davis, and Pritchett. Still, given the team’s recent roster moves, fans probably shouldn’t hold their breath waiting to see the UDFA fan favorite on the field this Sunday.

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