NY Jets release Will Parks after Wednesday's missed practice

The NY Jets have released a fan and locker-room favorite as the Jets confirmed via their team website on Thursday that backup safety and special teamer Will Parks has been cut from the team.

Parks was a new addition to the injury report on Wednesday and was listed as a "DNP" with a non-injury-related issue. The Jets' injury report on Thursday did not list Parks which would indicate that this report is accurate.

Parks was claimed off waivers by the Jets late last year and he'd go on to start two of the final three games of the season due to a slew of injuries at the safety position. He played well too and immediately found a home on special teams.

The seven-year NFL veteran returned to compete for a roster spot this summer, and although he was initially left off the 53-man roster, Parks would soon earn a full-time promotion to the active roster and appear in 11 games prior to being released.

ESPN's Rich Cimini is reporting that Parks was present at Jets practice on Thursday prior to being released which makes the situation all the more confusing.

The NY Jets have released Will Parks

Parks quickly endeared himself to both Jets fans, players, and coaches alike with his energetic persona and on/off-field leadership. He was one of the most popular guys in that locker room which, again, makes his release come as a pretty significant surprise.

The 28-year-old was involved in two very notable special-teams plays for the Jets this season. The first came in Week 2 when he helped the Jets recover an onside kick in the team's miracle victory over the Cleveland Browns by batting the ball back into play.

The second came during the team's Week 6 victory over the Green Bay Packers when Parks scooped up a Micheal Clemons blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown.

The Jets have four safeties still on the active roster in Lamarcus Joyner, Jordan Whitehead, Ashtyn Davis, and Tony Adams.

Cimini is now reporting that the Jets plan to re-sign Parks to the practice squad if he passes through waivers. It appears Parks' release was a procedural move brought on by roster gymnastics.

Here's to hoping Parks clears waivers and is able to return to the Jets this week.