SOURCE: Jets sign preseason star to 53-man roster after WR injuries

The New York Jets have signed wide receiver Brandon Smith to the 53-man roster ahead of their Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a source confirmed to The Jet Press.

The Jets were already set to be without Garrett Wilson for another week as he nurses a knee injury, and the team downgraded veteran wideout Josh Reynolds to out on Saturday after he missed Friday's practice with a quad injury.

Smith joins a thin Jets wide receiver room that currently includes Tyler Johnson, rookie Arian Smith, Allen Lazard, and return specialist Isaiah Williams. A source confirmed that Smith is expected to see actual offensive snaps on Sunday — this isn’t just a depth or special teams addition.

Smith was previously elevated for the team's Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos earlier this year, playing 12 special-teams snaps. Now, he's set to appear in his third NFL game this Sunday.

Jets sign WR Brandon Smith to their 53-man roster

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys following the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith impressed in the preseason and managed to stick around on the team's practice squad for the better part of two years.

But after failing to break through, Smith signed with the XFL’s DC Defenders ahead of the 2023 season. He went on to have two separate stints with the Defenders, briefly interrupted by a preseason appearance with the Arizona Cardinals that summer, before signing with the Jets in August 2024.

Smith was only with the Jets for three weeks, but he did enough to impress, earning a spot on the team's practice squad after hauling in five catches for 120 yards in three preseason games.

The Jets elevated Smith for their Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, although he'd play just one offensive snap before reverting to the practice squad.

Smith re-signed with the Jets in the offseason and once again put together an impressive preseason performance, leading the team with 10 catches for 113 yards and making a strong push for a 53-man roster spot.

Now, for the first time in his football career, the 26-year-old Smith has been signed to an NFL 53-man roster.

The Jets' passing game has been abysmal this season due in part to a woefully thin wide receiver room. Smith will have a golden opportunity to carve out a role on offense, especially with Wilson and Reynolds sidelined this week.