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NY Jets Practice Squad and Waiver Wire Tracker 2023: Live updates and analysis

Bookmark this page to track EVERY Jets waiver move and practice squad signing

ByJustin Fried|
NY Jets, Tim Boyle
NY Jets, Tim Boyle | Sarah Stier/GettyImages

The NY Jets officially revealed their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, and as expected, there were a few difficult cuts to be made. This Jets team is deep, and the 31 other NFL teams could be beneficiaries of that.

That's because teams will have the ability to place claims on any of the players the Jets waived yesterday. To be eligible for waivers, players must have fewer than four NFL seasons accrued. That means veterans like Tim Boyle, Tanzel Smart, etc., will not be subject to waivers.

Teams have until 12 pm ET to submit their waiver claims. Seeing as this is one of the busiest transactional days in the NFL, there are expected to be quite a few claims. The fun doesn't stop there, though.

Starting at 1 pm ET, teams are then permitted to begin filling out their practice squads. Teams can have a maximum of six "veterans" on their practice squad and 10 players with two or fewer accrued service years. A total of 16 players comprise every NFL practice squad.

This page will also be used to keep track of every waiver wire addition the Jets make, as well as any Jets players who are claimed by other teams and every Jets practice squad signing. You're going to want to bookmark this page.

We will be updating this tracker with live analysis for every move the Jets make, so be sure to check back frequently.

NY Jets waiver wire additions

  • None

Former NY Jets claimed on waivers

  • OL Trystan Colon (Arizona Cardinals) - SOURCE

The versatile Trystan Colon was signed by the Jets this offseason and impressed in the preseason. He garnered trade interest before the roster cut deadline, which is why this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

The Jets would have loved to have Colon back on their practice squad. Instead, he joins an Arizona Cardinals team that was desperate for interior offensive line help.

  • LB Claudin Cherelus (Carolina Panthers) - SOURCE

One of my personal favorite players from the summer, Claudin Cherelus was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent this past spring. The Carolina Panthers clearly liked what they saw from Cherelus during the Jets' joint practices earlier this month.

The HBCU product made some plays in the preseason and figured to be a strong candidate to return to the practice squad. Instead, he ends up in Carolina with a host of other former Jets players.

NY Jets practice squad signings

The first reported Jets practice squad signing is veteran linebacker Sam Eguavoen. Eguavoen was signed to the Jets' roster earlier this month, and he provides the team with ample NFL special-teams experience.

The former undrafted free agent has appeared in all 66 games for the Miami Dolphins over the last four seasons. He's played just shy of 1,000 defensive snaps and has over 1,100 special-teams snaps under his belt.

He's valuable veteran linebacker depth for a Jets team boasting a relatively inexperienced linebacker group.

The Jets signed undrafted rookie safety Tyreque Jones to their practice squad — the first external addition to the practice squad. Jones spent training camp with the Tennessee Titans before being waived as part of final roster cuts.

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, the former Boise State standout has excellent size for the position and projects best as a box safety in the NFL. He has impressive physical upside and is worth keeping around as a developmental project.

A fan-favorite from this summer, Trey Dean was not claimed by another NFL team and returns to the Jets' practice squad. Dean heavily pushed for a spot on the 53-man roster this summer, ultimately losing out to veteran special teamer Ashtyn Davis.

The Jets are very happy to have Dean back on their practice squad, as there was some chatter he could be claimed. The former five-star Florida recruit is one of the most coveted players on the team's practice squad.

Adam Pankey spent most of last season on the Jets' practice squad, and he returns there the following year. The 29-year-old offensive lineman is one of six veterans the Jets can have on their practice squad.

Pankey has experience at both guard and tackle and crossed paths with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. His versatility likely played a role in keeping him around.

The Jets sign a running back to their practice squad, but it's neither of the running backs they waived yesterday (Zonovan Knight and Travis Dye). Instead, they add the speedy Xavian Valladay.

Valladay spent this summer split between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers after a successful college career at both Wyoming and, later, Arizona State. With 4.40 speed, Valladay is a home-run hitter who put up gaudy collegiate numbers.

This was inevitable. The Jets opted not to carry three quarterbacks on their active roster, but Tim Boyle was always going to remain with the organization in some capacity.

Boyle's familiarity with Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers helps earn him a spot. He also impressed in the preseason finale, finishing 9-of-11 for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets' seventh-round pick in this year's 2023 NFL Draft, Zack Kuntz was a somewhat surprising roster cut this summer. There was some concern that he would claimed off waivers, but instead, he returns to the Jets' practice squad.

Kuntz is an ideal developmental project with a never-before-seen size/athletic profile for the position. He failed to stand out much this summer, but the Jets are thrilled to have him back on the practice squad where he can continue his development.

With the Jets losing Claudin Cherelus on waivers, it makes sense for the team to bring back one of their other undrafted linebackers. Caleb Johnson flew under the radar this summer, but he quietly put together a strong preseason.

At just 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, Johnson is your classic undersized-but-athletic Robert Saleh linebacker. His 4.40 40-yard dash speed makes him a perfect player to develop on the practice squad.

The Jets add some cornerback depth to their practice squad, bringing back veteran Craig James. James played 113 defensive snaps for the Jets this summer (one shy of the team lead) and has the versatility to play outside or slot cornerback.

The 27-year-old spent time with Joe Douglas in Philadelphia and was previously a core special-teamer with the Eagles. This is the fourth of a possible six veteran signings to the Jets' practice squad.

Perennial underdog and "Hard Knocks" fan favorite Tanzel Smart returns to the Jets practice squad for the fourth year in a row. Smart made headlines for his feature on "Hard Knocks" and put together another strong preseason.

The Jets' defensive line is loaded with talent, but Smart figures to be the first player elevated if the injury bug strikes. The Jets only have one veteran spot remaining on their practice squad.

The Jets announced that they have re-signed defensive tackle Marquiss Spencer to their practice squad. Spencer joins Tanzel Smart as extra interior defensive line depth on the Jets' roster.

A former seventh-round pick of the Denver Broncos, Spencer joined the Jets' practice squad in November of last year and was re-signed to a reserve/future contract in January. He struggled a bit in the preseason but clearly did enough to stick around.

The Jets add some additional cornerback depth to their practice squad in the form of undrafted free agent Nehemiah Shelton. Shelton only joined the Jets two weeks ago, and he struggled in the preseason finale.

The former USFL standout is a surprising addition to the practice squad, especially if he's retained over undrafted rookie Derrick Langford. Still, the Jets clearly see something in the San Jose State product.

  • LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball - SOURCE

A fan-favorite in San Francisco, Marcelino McCrary-Ball spent all of his rookie season on the 49ers' practice squad before returning this summer. He made waves all throughout training camp, even receiving first-team reps at the SAM linebacker position.

Most assumed that the 49ers would bring McCrary-Ball back on their practice squad, but Robert Saleh and the Jets swept in and scooped him up. He has an opportunity to earn a real role with the Jets this season, given their inexperienced linebacker room.

This is a fun one. Undrafted rookie Ryan Swoboda stands at 6-foot-9, 309 pounds, with a rare blend of ridiculous size and above-average athleticism. His 9.32 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) made him one of the best athletes at his position in this year's draft.

Swoboda was a three-year starting right tackle at UCF who impressed for the Detroit Lions this summer. The Lions wanted him back on their practice squad, but the Jets were able to land him instead.

An undrafted free agent last year, Jason Poe spent his rookie season on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad, garnering quite the cult following in the process. Poe spent time as a fullback as well as an interior lineman with the 49ers last summer.

The former Mercer standout has guard/center versatility and, at 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, has been described as a bowling ball. Robert Saleh and the Jets swipe another fan-favorite UDFA from the 49ers.

He's also one of the nicest, most genuine athletes I've ever spoken with. Click this link to check out our interview with him before the 2022 NFL Draft.

The final Jets practice squad addition is that of defensive end Jalyn Holmes. Holmes was signed by the Jets a little over two weeks ago and only appeared in one preseason game, but he made quite the impression.

The former Minnesota Vikings fourth-round pick recorded two sacks in his only preseason appearance and clearly did enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad. The Jets love their defensive line depth.

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