Jets Transaction Roundup: Projected 2025 starter released, fan favorite WR cut

The New York Jets make dozens of roster moves every month, including elevations, signings, cuts, injury designations, etc., and most of them barely register with the average fan.

But these small moves often tell you a lot about how a front office feels about its depth, its long-term projects, and the direction of the roster behind the scenes.

That’s why we’re launching a new recurring series at The Jet Press called Jets Transaction Roundup, which will function as a quick-hit breakdown of the under-the-radar moves you might’ve missed and what they actually mean.

This won’t be a deep dive into splashy trades or major signings. Instead, we’ll focus on the quieter decisions, such as practice-squad reshuffling, injury-related releases, low-risk flyers, and fringe roster tweaks.

Think of it as a weekly (or whenever necessary) snapshot of how the Jets are managing the bottom of the roster. This week, or at least Tuesday and Wednesday, brought a few moves worth mentioning.

The Jets released a projected 2025 starter from the injured reserve, cut a fan-favorite wide receiver from their practice squad, and made a couple of other minor moves. Let's dive in and take a quick look at each transaction.

New York Jets transactions breakdown 12/02-12/03/25

Jets waive DT Byron Cowart from IR (12/02)

The Jets waived veteran defensive tackle Byron Cowart from the injured reserve on Tuesday in a move that immediately allows him to sign with another team. It wasn't long ago that Cowart was projected to be a key part of the Jets' defense.

Entering training camp, Cowart was arguably the favorite to start next to Quinnen Williams at defensive tackle. He turned heads throughout the spring, benefited from his familiarity with defensive line coach Eric Washington, and looked like a legitimate candidate to play a major early role in 2025.

Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in training camp derailed those hopes. The timing of the injury likely influenced the Jets’ decision to swing two impactful trades for Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

Phillips and Briggs have since become foundational pieces of Aaron Glenn’s defense, but it’s fair to say those trades may never have happened if Cowart had stayed healthy. Because he was placed on IR before the season, Cowart was never eligible to return for the Jets in 2025.

Jets sign CB Samuel Womack to practice squad (12/02)

The Jets also added some experienced cornerback depth by signing Samuel Womack to their practice squad. A fifth-round pick of the 49ers in 2022, the 26-year-old Womack spent his first two seasons in San Francisco before landing with the Colts in 2024.

He later joined the Titans, appearing in five games and even making a start this season after Tennessee claimed him off waivers. He brings real NFL experience, something the Jets could use with Jarvis Brownlee currently nursing a hip injury, although he's primarily a boundary corner.

Womack joins a crowded practice-squad defensive back room that already includes undrafted rookie Jordan Clark and veterans Nik Needham and Tre Brown, plus safety-turned-corner Jarius Monroe.

Depth at cornerback is clearly an ongoing priority for the Jets. Womack notably crossed over with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks in San Francisco.

Jets release WR Brandon Smith from practice squad (12/02)

In a corresponding move, the Jets released fan-favorite wide receiver Brandon Smith from their practice squad, a tough break for a player who had become something of a summer legend in Florham Park.

Smith joined the Jets in August 2024 after a productive stint with the DC Defenders in the XFL/UFL, impressed immediately, and earned a practice-squad job. He appeared in one game that season (playing one offensive snap) before returning in 2025 and once again shining in the preseason.

Smith finished as the team’s leading receiver this summer and made a real push for a 53-man roster spot. However, he ultimately fell just short but did manage to appear in two regular-season games in 2025, logging eight offensive snaps and a brief promotion to the active roster.

The problem for Smith was simply a numbers game. The deadline additions of Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie pushed him further down the depth chart, and the Jets already had multiple developmental receivers on the practice squad in Quentin Skinner and Jamaal Pritchett, plus veteran Trenton Irwin, who serves as the de facto backup punt returner.

With the room overcrowded, Smith became the odd man out. It’s an unfortunate end to a feel-good story, and while he could latch on elsewhere, he turns 27 next week and still doesn’t have an NFL reception, meaning his window of opportunity is probably shrinking.

Jets designate LB Cam Jones to return from IR (12/03)

The Jets also designated linebacker Cam Jones to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. Once a player receives that designation, the team has three weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season.

In theory, Jones could return as early as this week if the Jets believe he's ready, though the team might ease him back into practice before making any decision. Jones was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Jones was placed on IR on October 25 due to a hip injury. Claimed off waivers before the season, Jones brought immediate value as a core special teamer after appearing in all 34 games for the Chiefs over the last two seasons, where he was one of their most reliable special teams contributors.

He continued in that role with the Jets, playing 60% of special teams snaps in six games (with just three defensive snaps) before the injury. The Jets have cycled through back-of-the-roster linebackers for much of the season.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball is the captain of the unit but is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Mykal Walker has rotated as the third linebacker at times, while sixth-round rookie Kobe King — claimed off waivers from Minnesota in October — has been active sporadically.

If Jones is activated, King feels like the most likely roster casualty, given his limited role and previous healthy scratches, though Walker could also be in the conversation.