Jets Transaction Roundup: Jets sign fan-favorite WR, elevate QB, place 4 on IR

The New York Jets enter Week 17 against the New England Patriots with two games left and no illusions about where this season is headed. Evaluation mode is fully underway, and this week brought another clear signal of that reality.

The Jets placed four more players on injured reserve, headlined by quarterback Justin Fields, as the organization continues to prioritize long-term organizational outlook over short-term results.

Brady Cook will start again under center, Garrett Wilson has been officially shut down for the season, and several younger players have been elevated from the practice squad as the Jets look to get extended looks before January arrives.

With roster decisions looming and draft positioning very much in play, these moves are less about Sunday’s result and more about gathering information. Here’s a look at the Jets’ latest round of transactions as the tank (and the evaluation process, I suppose) rolls on.

New York Jets transactions breakdown for Dec. 24-27

Jets place QB Justin Fields on IR

The Jets kicked off a week of transactions by placing former starting quarterback Justin Fields on the injured reserve. This Christmas Eve move was one that felt inevitable for weeks.

While this move officially ended his season, it had become increasingly apparent in recent weeks that Fields had played his final game as a member of the Jets. Fields will almost certainly be released in the offseason.

The Jets will move forward with Brady Cook as their starting quarterback, likely for the final two games. Tyrod Taylor did not practice on Friday due to a personal issue but does not have an injury designation for Week 17. Regardless, we won't be seeing Fields again this season.

Jets claim S Christopher Smith off waivers

The Jets used that open roster spot to claim safety Christopher Smith off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams. Smith was a fifth-round pick of the Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft, appearing in 36 games for Las Vegas before he was released last month.

The Georgia product flashed his playmaking ability in college, recording six interceptions over his final two seasons with the Bulldogs. He’s been almost exclusively a special-teams player in the NFL, logging just 42 defensive snaps compared to a whopping 1,130 special-teams snaps over three years.

Smith joins an inexperienced Jets safety room that also features Malachi Moore, Dean Clark, Jarius Monroe, and Keidron Smith. He should be a healthy scratch on Sunday, but it's possible he will be asked to suit up for the season finale next week.

Jets place DE Will McDonald, LB Kiko Mauigoa, and DT Jay Tufele on IR

The Jets placed a trio of players on the injured reserve in one fell swoop on Friday, as defensive end Will McDonald (knee), linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (neck), and defensive tackle Jay Tufele (foot) will all miss the remainder of the season.

McDonald finishes his third NFL season with eight sacks, four of which came in one game earlier this year. The Jets will have a decision to make on his fifth-year option this offseason, and there's a good chance the team opts to decline it. Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, and Braiden McGregor will be the defensive ends in Week 17.

Mauigoa showed flashes as a rookie and will finish the season with eight starts in 12 games, though he struggled at times when given extended snaps. Veteran Mykal Walker has quietly impressed since taking over as the team’s third linebacker and is likely to retain that role over the final two games.

Tufele proved to be little more than a warm body in the Jets' defensive line rotation, managing zero sacks and zero QB hits in 12 games after a standout preseason. Expect to see more of undrafted rookie Payton Page and potentially even midseason pickup Mazi Smith with Tufele out.

Jets sign WR Quentin Skinner, OG Marquis Hayes, and DB Tre Brown to 53-man roster

The Jets signed three players from their practice squad to replace the injured trio above on Saturday, notably rewarding a pair of preseason standouts in wide receiver Quentin Skinner and offensive guard Marquis Hayes.

Skinner was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in the spring and put together an impressive summer, even making a late push for a roster spot. It would be nice to see the undrafted rookie receive some snaps down the stretch, possibly at the expense of someone like Tyler Johnson.

Hayes was another summer standout for the Jets, quietly putting some impressive tape on film in the preseason. Backup guard Xavier Newman was added to the injury report with a foot injury on Friday and is questionable for Week 17. Hayes could be active in his place.

The Jets also signed defensive back Tre Brown from their practice squad after elevating him for three games this season. A former fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, Brown has played exclusively on special teams in his three appearances, and that will likely remain his role.

Jets elevate QB Hendon Hooker for Week 17

The Jets curiously elevated quarterback Hendon Hooker from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Veteran Tyrod Taylor did not practice on Friday due to personal reasons but does not have an injury designation for today's game.

It's possible the Jets could look to use Hooker in a situational/Wildcat role, even if Taylor is able to play. The team reportedly approached Justin Fields about a similar role weeks ago, but the veteran QB had no interest. Hooker's elevation at least suggests the Jets plan to utilize him in some capacity.