NY Jets 53-Man Roster Cut Tracker 2023: Live updates and analysis

The NY Jets have officially begun the process of trimming their roster down to 53 players ahead of tomorrow's roster cut deadline. By 4 pm ET on Tuesday, the Jets will have cut their roster down from 90 players to just 53.

It's an incredibly difficult process for teams every year, especially with a roster as deep as the one the Jets possess. After having an unbelievable 11 players claimed off waivers last summer, the Jets are preparing for more of the same this year.

Over the next 24 or so hours, nearly 40 players will be waived/released by the Jets. Some of those players will return to the practice squad or perhaps be re-signed as procedural moves. For others, however, this is the end of the road.

This tracker will be used to keep fans up to date with every roster cut the Jets make. Brief analysis will also be provided for each move, just for the sake of context.

Below is a list of all the roster moves the Jets have reportedly made to this point. This list will be regularly updated, so be sure to check back frequently to keep up to date with every move the Jets make over the next couple of days.

NY Jets Roster Cuts Tracker

LB Nick Vigil - SOURCE

The Jets' first reported cut came on Sunday night with the release of veteran linebacker Nick Vigil. The Jets signed Vigil earlier this month as they looked to strengthen their linebacker depth following an injury to Hamsah Nasirildeen.

Vigil is an experienced NFL veteran with nearly 90 games (53 starts) and seven seasons under his belt. That said, he was always on the outside of the roster bubble looking in.

The Jets might look to keep Vigil around on their practice squad as veteran linebacker depth. It's also possible he receives an opportunity elsewhere, given his experience.

OL Adam Pankey - SOURCE

Veteran offensive lineman Adam Pankey spent most of the 2022 season on the Jets' practice squad and, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, could be a candidate for the practice squad again this year.

Pankey spent the first two years of his career in Green Bay, appearing in two games, before playing seven games over three years with the Miami Dolphins from 2019-2021. He has the versatility to play both guard and tackle, making him an ideal practice squad depth piece.

RB Zonovan Knight - SOURCE

Zonovan Knight became the odd man out in the Jets' running back room following the addition of Dalvin Cook. Knight impressed as a rookie last season and put together a strong training camp, but it wasn't enough to save him a roster spot.

The Jets would likely love to sign Knight to their practice squad, but after reportedly receiving trade interest last week, it's more likely that he will be claimed on waivers.

S Trey Dean - SOURCE

One of the more notable undrafted free agents for the Jets this year, Trey Dean is a former five-star recruit who pushed hard for a roster spot in the preseason.

Dean finished second on the Jets with 22 total tackles this summer, and many projected him to make the 53-man roster. Instead, this likely bodes well for veteran special-teamer Ashtyn Davis.

The Jets will try to re-sign Dean to their practice squad, but much like with Jason Pinnock last year, it wouldn't be a surprise if he was claimed by another team.

LB Sam Eguavoen - SOURCE

One of two veteran linebackers signed earlier this month (along with Nick Vigil), Sam Eguavoen has appeared in all 66 possible games for the Miami Dolphins over the last four seasons.

Eguavoen is reportedly expected to re-sign with the Jets on their practice squad, per The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. He will provide experienced linebacker depth in the form of someone who's also played over 1,100 special-teams snaps in his NFL career.

S Marquis Waters - SOURCE

Marquis "Muddy" Waters was one of a host of undrafted rookies the Jets signed this spring. The former Texas Tech standout is an ideal developmental hybrid safety/linebacker and figures to be a strong candidate for the practice squad.

Waters becomes even more important if the Jets are unable to re-sign Trey Dean to their practice squad. He makes sense as a young developmental project in the mold of someone like Adrian Amos.

LB Claudin Cherelus - SOURCE

One of three undrafted linebackers the Jets signed this past spring, Claudin Cherelus was probably the most notable standout of the three. A minor injury cost him time this summer and possibly prevented him from pushing for a roster spot.

The Jets seem likely to bring the HBCU product back on their practice squad if he clears waivers. He has the athletic profile that Robert Saleh covets at the linebacker position.

CB Jimmy Moreland (IR) - SOURCE

A slight surprise here as I had cornerback Jimmy Moreland making the 53-man roster over Bryce Hall. The Jets notably didn't release Moreland, instead placing him on the injured reserve after he suffered a hand injury in the preseason finale.

Unfortunately, since the Jets placed him on the IR before final roster cuts, this means he is officially out for the season unless he's released with an injury settlement.

Moreland outplayed Hall this summer, but a late injury might have cost him a roster spot. This bodes well for Hall's chances of surviving roster cuts.

OT Greg Senat - SOURCE

The Jets claimed Greg Senat off waivers in January of 2022, and he spent the entirety of the season on the NFI list. Senat played well this summer, earning a 73.5 Pro Football Focus grade — the second-highest tackle on the team behind Mekhi Becton.

He does turn 29 years old in a few days, but the Jets could try to keep the Queens native around on their practice squad as valuable tackle depth.

DE/LB Pita Taumoepenu - SOURCE

The reigning XFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pita Taumoepenu was signed by the Jets earlier this month, and he went on to have a pretty strong summer. Unfortunately, the former Utah standout was a victim of a loaded Jets' defensive line room.

Taumoepenu could be brought back on the practice squad, especially given his experience with Robert Saleh dating back to their San Francisco days. He's exactly the type of player Saleh would love to keep around.

WR Alex Erickson - SOURCE

Another veteran cut, Alex Erickson made a strong final push for a roster spot in the Jets' preseason finale on Saturday, hauling in two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Tim Boyle.

Erickson has seven years of NFL experience under his belt and has been a successful kick/punt returner in Cincinnati and Carolina. He's another practice squad candidate if the Jets are looking to bolster their special-teams depth.

This could be good news for undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson, who was in direct competition with Erickson for a roster spot.

CB Craig James - SOURCE

A veteran cornerback who spent all of last season on the Jets' practice squad, Craig James played 113 defensive snaps for the team this summer — one shy of the team lead.

The Jets plan to bring James back on their practice squad if he isn't signed by another team. He gives the team added depth at nickel cornerback with the versatility to play on the outside as well.

TE E.J. Jenkins - SOURCE

A converted wide receiver, E.J. Jenkins was buried on the Jets' tight end depth chart but still managed to make some plays this summer. His highlight was a fourth-quarter touchdown catch in the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

The Jets actually gave Jenkins quite a bit of guaranteed money on his undrafted rookie contract, so they clearly value him to some degree. He's expected to join the Jets' practice squad if he clears waivers.

WR Jerome Kapp - SOURCE

One of the breakout stars from this season's "Hard Knocks," Jerome Kapp made headlines with his rendition of Eminem's freestyle rap from 8 Mile this summer. Unfortunately, he was always going to be a roster longshot.

The Kutztown product was signed following a successful tryout at the Jets' rookie minicamp and will look to catch on with the team's practice squad.

QB Tim Boyle - SOURCE

The Jets opt not to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster as Tim Boyle is released. The plan, as expected, is to re-sign Boyle to the practice squad if he's not picked up by another team.

Boyle put together a strong performance in the Jets' preseason finale on Saturday, completing 9-of-11 passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. He will, in all likelihood, be the team's de facto emergency QB on the practice squad.

*The remaining cuts on this list are based on reports of which Jets players are and aren't at practice today. This is a pretty firm indication that they have been released/waived, but please note that an asterisk indicates it isn't official.*

TE Zack Kuntz - SOURCE (not at practice)*

Perhaps a surprise to some, the Jets appear to have waived their seventh-round pick in this year's draft, Zack Kuntz. Kuntz is quite literally the most athletic tight end in NFL Combine history, but he failed to stand out this summer.

The Jets obviously hope to re-sign the 6-foot-8 Kuntz to their practice squad, but he will first be subject to waivers. It would not be a surprise if he was claimed.

DT Tanzel Smart - SOURCE (not at practice)*

Tanzel Smart seems primed for a fourth consecutive year on the Jets' practice squad. The former Los Angeles Rams draft pick received some notoriety for his appearances on "Hard Knocks" this summer and made a few standout plays in the preseason.

Unfortunately, he once again becomes a victim of a ridiculously deep Jets defensive line. He shouldn't be subject to waivers, so unless he signs with another team, I'd expect him back on the practice squad.

WR Malik Taylor - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The Jets surprisingly decided to keep seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster, and even more surprisingly, Malik Taylor isn't one of them. Taylor made waves this summer, and his history with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett appeared to be working in his favor.

He managed to haul in a 57-yard bomb from Zach Wilson in the preseason opener but was later sidelined with an injury. Instead, the Jets will carry Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson, and Irvin Charles on their initial 53-man roster.

OL Trystan Colon - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The Jets received trade interest on the versatile Trystan Colon, and it's currently unclear if he will be moved before the 4 pm ET deadline. What is clear, however, is that he will not be on the 53-man roster.

Colon has guard/center versatility and played well when given the opportunity in Baltimore. The Jets would love to have him on their practice squad, but it seems more likely that he's traded/claimed off waivers.

RB Travis Dye - SOURCE (not at practice)*

Signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent this past spring, Travis Dye was brought in to serve as a young running back depth with a chance to crack the practice squad. A 53-man roster spot was never in the cards, though.

Dye could stick around on the practice squad, especially if the Jets are unable to bring back Zonovan Knight. The former Pac-12 standout rushed for 63 yards on 25 carries in the preseason.

WR T.J. Luther - SOURCE (not at practice)*

Another undrafted rookie on the Jets' roster, T.J. Luther was buried on the depth chart and failed to make a catch in any of the team's four preseason games.

His most memorable moment with the Jets came earlier this month when he was part of a scrappy training camp fight with Justin Hardee. Luther feels like a long shot for the practice squad.

OL Chris Glaser - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The Jets signed Chris Glaser, a 2022 undrafted rookie out of Virginia, last summer, and he went on to spend part of the year on the team's practice squad. He's a candidate to return to the practice squad this year as young offensive line depth.

OT Grant Hermanns - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The Jets originally signed Grant Hermanns as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2021. He spent all of his rookie season on the practice squad before returning in 2022, even appearing in two games — playing exclusively on special teams.

The Jets brought Hermanns back earlier this month, although he was little more than a bottom-of-the-roster depth piece. He has a chance to stick around on the practice squad as extra tackle depth, especially with Carter Warren sidelined due to an injury.

OL Brent Laing - SOURCE (not at practice)*

One of a host of undrafted rookies the Jets signed this spring, Brent Laing entered the NFL out of Division II Minnesota-Duluth. He appeared in all four preseason games for the Jets this summer, playing 80 snaps and earning a 56.9 Pro Football Focus grade.

He's another practice squad candidate with developmental upside.

DE Deslin Alexandre - SOURCE (not at practice)*

A college teammate of Israel Abanikanda and Carter Warren at Pittsburgh, Deslin Alexandre was signed as an undrafted free agent this past spring. Alexandre was a three-year starter at Pitt and a two-year team captain who made some plays this summer.

He's another victim of a deep defensive line unit, but I'd love to see the Jets bring him back on the practice squad.

DE Jalyn Holmes - SOURCE (not at practice)*

A former fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Jalyn Holmes was signed by the Jets following his release (by the Chicago Bears) two weeks ago.

Holmes has legitimate NFL experience with 34 games under his belt, but he's managed just one sack in his career. The Jets could keep him around on the practice squad if they believe he's quality depth.

DT Bruce Hector - SOURCE (not at practice)*

A former XFL standout, the Jets signed Bruce Hector earlier this month, and he made quite the impression in just three preseason games. Hector finished the summer with three sacks and six total pressures in just 64 pass-rush snaps.

It was never going to be easy to crack the Jets' defensive line rotation, but he's more than earned a spot on the practice squad. That said, Hector and Tanzel Smart could be competing for one spot.

DT Marquiss Spencer - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The Jets signed Marquiss Spencer to their practice squad last November and re-signed him to a reserve/future contract in January. He failed to stand out as much as the other reserve defensive tackles this summer, although he did record an impressive tackle for loss on Saturday.

It would be a slight surprise to see him brought back on the practice squad, especially if it's at the expense of Smart of Hector.

LB Caleb Johnson - SOURCE (not at practice)*

One of three undrafted linebackers the Jets signed this spring, Caleb Johnson is a former UCLA standout who transferred to Miami ahead of his senior season.

Johnson is your classic undersized, athletic Robert Saleh linebacker, who graded out well with Pro Football Focus this summer. He and fellow undrafted linebacker Claudin Cherelus are practice squad candidates.

CB Derrick Langford - SOURCE (not at practice)*

The last undrafted rookie initially signed by the Jets on this list, Derrick Langford always faced an uphill battle in a crowded Jets cornerback room.

Langford finished fifth on the team with 143 defensive snaps played in the preseason and is a candidate to return to the practice squad. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, the former JUCO star has some developmental upside.

CB Nehemiah Shelton - SOURCE (not at practice)*

Originally an undrafted free agent in 2019, Nehemiah Shelton bounced around between a few teams and even played in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats this past spring.

Shelton was with the Jets for less than two weeks and allowed a 30-yard touchdown in Saturday's preseason finale. I'd be surprised if he was brought back on the practice squad.

FB Nick Bawden - SOURCE (the Jets)

This is a procedural move, and Nick Bawden is expected to be re-signed soon. If players are placed on the injured reserve before the roster cutdown deadline, they are ruled out for the season. This means players like Carter Warren must be a part of the initial 53-man roster before being placed on the IR.

Bawden is a vested veteran and is not subject to waivers, which is why the Jets are able to temporarily release him without the risk of another team claiming him. He will be a part of the team's 53-man roster.

P Thomas Morstead - SOURCE (the Jets)

This is another procedural move. The same explanation for Bawden applies to Thomas Morstead.

The Jets released Morstead with a handshake agreement that he would be re-signed once players (Carter Warren, possibly Kenny Yeboah) are placed on the injured reserve. Don't worry — the Jets' punter isn't going anywhere.

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