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BREAKING NEWS: New York Jets release RB Le’Veon Bell

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New York Jets, LeVeon Bell

The New York Jets released the former star running back less than two years into a four-year, $52.5 million contract.

The New York Jets have released running back Le’Veon Bell, the team confirmed on Tuesday night. Bell’s Jets career ends less than two years into a four-year contract ink during the 2019 offseason.

“After having conversations with Le’Veon and his agent and exploring potential trade options over the past couple of day, we have made the decision to release Le’Veon,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a statement. “The Jets organization appreciates Le’Veon’s efforts during his time here and we know he worked hard to make significant contributions to this team. We believe this decision is in the best interests of both parties and wish him future success.”

Bell’s Jets career ends after just 17 games that saw him tally 863 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. He joined the Jets on a deal worth $52.5 million after an illustrious five-year career in Pittsburgh, one that saw him put up 5,336 yards over five seasons. Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after long-term contract talks between him and the Steelers broke down.

Bell’s relationship with head coach Adam Gase was a point of contention during his brief time in New York. Gase’s usage of the running back was constantly called into question, as Bell’s 245 carries were his lowest tally since his rookie season. His 789 yards and three scores were also full-season lows for the former Michigan State Spartan.

Upon Bell’s release, Frank Gore and rookie La’Mical Perine are the active returnees on the Jets’ roster. The team has also promoted free agent signee Ty Johnson to their active 53-man unit. Johnson, a former Detroit Lions’ draft pick, was signed on October 2.

The Jets return to action on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

NASCAR: Matt DiBenedetto to stay in Wood Brothers’ No. 21 for 2021

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Matt DiBenedetto will remain with Wood Brothers Racing next NASCAR season, but will abdicate the No. 21 to Austin Cindric the following year.

The number 21 proved to be both aces and bust for Matt DiBenedetto on Thursday. 

Wood Brothers Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series’ longest-running team, announced that DiBenedetto would return to pilot their historic No. 21 Ford, but only for next season. Xfinity Series standout Austin Cindric is set to take over in 2022. Cindric has also signed a multi-year with Team Penske, with whom WBR shares a technical alliance.

While the situation seems bittersweet for DiBenedetto, the 29-year-old expressed only excitement and gratitude in a statement released by the team.

“It’s such an honor to be able to continue to drive for Wood Brothers Racing and have another year to grow with this organization,” DiBenedetto said in the statement. “I am excited to learn from our 2020 notebook and I’m confident that with a full season under our belt and working together as a team, we will produce even better results. I also want to thank Ford Performance and Team Penske for their efforts in making this happen.

“These types of decisions take a lot of time, as we all know there are a lot of factors in play. All three groups want to make the best decisions for everyone involved and I’m appreciative to have the opportunity to continue to compete for such a legendary race team.”

Founded by the titular Wood brothers (Leonard and the late Glen) in 1950, the No. 21 Ford has been a staple on the Cup Series tracks. Previous drivers to take the wheel include A.J. Foyt, David Pearson, Neil Bonnett, Dale Jarrett, and Ryan Blaney. The team has won 99 Cup Series, its most recent coming with Blaney in a 2017 race at Pocono.

While DiBenedetto is still seeking his first Cup Series win, he has gained himself a strong following after working his way up through the lower-tiers of auto racing. He raced for several low-budget teams at the Cup Series level prior to joining WBR, posting respectable results in subpar equipment. DiBenedetto’s patience was rewarded with his first NASCAR playoff berth. Through 31 of 36 races, he has earned a career-best eight top-ten finishes in the No. 21. He’s also tied his personal best with three top-five postings, including a pair of runner-up results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in February and September. Another runner-up finish at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday was taken from him when NASCAR determined that DiBenedetto forced race-winner Denny Hamlin out of bounds below the track’s yellow line.

In July, DiBenedetto raced his way into the NASCAR All-Star Race after winning the All-Star Open beforehand.

Though DiBenedetto was eliminated from championship contention after the first round, he was very hopeful about what the future had in store, continually expressing interest in re-upping with the Woods.

“I feel like the Wood Brothers are an amazing family, and you can tell they ooze confidence in me, and that’s such an amazing feeling. The same with Team Penske and our alliance with them,” DiBenedetto said after his more recent second-place run in Vegas. “I can feel that everyone has confidence in me and our team and knows we’re only going to continue to get much better.”

Cindric will take over the ride in 2022, as NASCAR is expected to run its highly touted “Next Gen” racecar. He will compete for Rookie of the Year honors behind the wheel the No. 21, but he will run select races with Team Penske next season. Cindric has enjoyed a breakout year in the Xfinity Series realm, winning five races in Penske’s No. 22 Ford. He currently sits in second place in the standings with five races to go.

It’s possible Cindric could take over one of team owner Roger Penske’s current full-time cars, which include Blaney in the No. 12 and former Cup Series champions Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano in the Nos 2 and 22 respectively. Each of Penske’s three full-time cars likewise made the Cup Series playoffs, with Keselowski and Logano still in contention for the title.

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to action on Sunday afternoon with the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets promote a QB with Sam Darnold’s status in question

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New York Jets

The New York Jets added quarterback Mike White from their practice squad and released running back Kalen Ballage.

With Sam Darnold’s situation in question, the New York Jets added quarterback Mike White to their active roster. In a corresponding move, the team released rusher Kalen Ballage.

White, 25, was the Jets’ backup quarterback for the first three games this season but returned to the practice squad when Joe Flacco was cleared for action prior to last Thursday’s game against Denver. The former Dallas Cowboys draft pick (fifth round, 2018) was first signed to the New York practice squad last September and signed a reserve/future contract in January. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.

White’s return may be a negative omen towards the status of starter Sam Darnold for Sunday’s visit from the Arizona Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox). Darnold sustained a shoulder injury while taking a sack in Thursday’s 37-28 loss to the Broncos and was removed from the game. Flacco took his spot on the next New York series, but Darnold returned before the drive ended and was not taken out from that point forward. If Darnold is out, the former Super Bowl MVP Flacco will likely get the start with White once against serving as the understudy.

While Darnold claims his shoulder “feels good” and the team is taking his status on a day-to-day basis, according to team reporter Ethan Greenberg, Thursday’s aftermath has many speculating about Darnold’s status for Week 5. Darnold has missed six games due to injury or illness over his first two NFL seasons and the Jets are 0-6 in such contests.

The rearrival of White led to an early end for Ballage’s Jets career. A former pupil of head coach Adam Gase with the Miami Dolphins, Ballage failed a physical that voided an August trade to the Jets. He was signed just over two weeks later by the Jets after the Dolphins waived him. Ballege failed to find a lasting role in the Jets’ offense, even with starting running back Le’Veon Bell out due to an injury. He earned 67 yards on nine receptions over three games in New York, as well as 13 yards on a trio of rushing attempts.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets call up two from practice squad in lead-up to Indy

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New York Jets

The depleted New York Jets promoted two players from their practice squad prior to their Sunday showdown with the Colts.

Decimated by injuries, the New York Jets added two players from their practice squad as they prepare to battle the Indianapolis Colts on the road this Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS). Receiver Lawrence Cager and offensive lineman Jimmy Murray will each join the active roster, the team confirmed on Saturday night.

Cager, 23, earned positive reviews during his training camp stretch with the Jets over the summer. He joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia. Cager had transferred to the Bulldogs after three seasons with Miami. Overall, he earned 1,157 yards on 78 receptions, 14 good for touchdowns, in his time in Athens and Coral Gables. Injuries limited him to only one full season, his junior campaign of 2018 when he scored a career-best six scores.

The Jets (0-2) are very much depleted on the receiving front. Second-round rookie Denzel Mims is on injured reserve while veterans Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder have already been ruled out due to injuries. Chris Hogan and Braxton Berrios are expected to be the top options for quarterback Sam Darnold at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Meanwhile, Murray joins the team’s active roster for the first time since joining up with the practice squad in November. He was waived at the end of the summer’s training camp activities but was signed back to the squad the next day. An alum of Holy Cross (where he earned second-team All-Patriot League nominations in 2016 and 2017), the 25-year-old blocker has partaken in two regular season NFL games, each with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.

Murray’s name was called during the offensive lineman portion of last fall’s XFL Draft. He was chosen in the eighth round by the St. Louis BattleHawks but opted not to sign with the team and remained with the Jets’ practice squad.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets make roster moves heading into Week 2

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Kalen Ballage

The New York Jets placed three on short-term injured reserve and added another rusher as they prepare for a visit from the 49ers.

The New York Jets announced the addition of running back Kalen Ballage on Tuesday afternoon. His arrival corresponds with the Jets placing three players on injured reserve, headlined by fellow rusher Le’Veon Bell.

Bell’s second season in New York got off to a tough start, as he ran for 14 yards on six carries in the Jets’ 27-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. He was removed from the game in the second half with a hamstring injury sustained in the first. Head coach Adam Gase expressed his regret over keeping Bell in the game during his postgame statements.

“I’m mad at myself that I let him back in there in the second half,” Gase said in video provided by the Jets. “I was watching him, and I thought it was going to be a touchdown. He got grabbed and the way he planted and torqued, it looked really bad. I saw him grab his hamstring and he wouldn’t come out. When we came in at halftime, I let him go back in there. I was worried about it. Eventually, I was like, ‘I can’t put you in there. We can’t take a chance of getting more hurt than you already are.’”

Joining Bell on injured reserve will be receiver Denzel Mims and linebacker Blake Cashman. The rookie Mims, the Jets’ second-round pick in April’s draft, dealt with hamstring issues throughout training camp and did not play in Sunday’s opener. Cashman, a second-year defender, had one tackle before sustaining a groin injury. As a rookie last season, he earned praise for filling in for injured starter C.J. Mosley before he himself was lost for the season in November with a torn labrum and fractured shoulder.

Joining the team in place of Bell is Ballage, a former Miami Dolphin who was previously dealt to the Jets in a training camp trade that was later voided when he failed a physical. Ballage was released by the Dolphins shortly after the voided transaction. The rusher now reunites with former coach Gase, who oversaw Ballage’s drafting in the fourth-round (131st overall) of the 2018 draft. Ballage, best known for scoring a Football Bowl Subdivision record eight touchdowns in a single game at Arizona State, tallied 545 total yards of offense over two seasons with the Dolphins.

The Jets return to action on Sunday afternoon against the San Francisco 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Liberty sign Kiah Stokes to contract extension

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One of the New York Liberty’s “baby vets” has re-upped with the team after developing a three-point prowess.

Kiah Stokes is taking home quite the souvenir from her visit to Florida.

Hours before her New York Liberty’s Bradenton bubble finale against the Dallas Wings on Sunday (12 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Go/CBSSN), Stokes was granted a contract extension through the 2021 season. The University of Connecticut alumna is set to wrap up her fifth season with the team after arriving as a first-round pick (11th overall) in 2015.

“Kiah is an integral part of our team and she has shown tremendous growth in her game both offensively and defensively this season,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said in a team statement. “As one of the best shot blockers in the league, her physicality and ability to stretch the defense is something that is integral to the Liberty’s culture and future success.”

Stokes, 27, is one of the most experienced players on a Liberty roster hosting six rookies, having returned to the team after spending all of the 2019 WNBA season overseas. She is the only player to start and partake in every Liberty game this season. In only her fourth season, Stokes became the Liberty’s all-time leader in blocks (at 187 entering Sunday).

This season, Stokes discovered a newfound three-point prowess, encouraged by the oversight of new head coach Walt Hopkins. Having taken only three in her WNBA career entering the bubble, she took 83 this season. She sank a career-best five in Saturday’s showdown with the Washington Mystics.

It’s possible that this newfound talent could fit in well when the Liberty’s sharp-shooting veterans Rebecca Allen, Marine Johannes, and Asia Durr presumably return in 2021. Each opted out of the Bradenton setup in the wake of the ongoing health crisis.

“Stokes has been a rock for this group in a lot of ways,” Hopkins said prior to Sunday’s game. “In spite of her going through what has to have been the most difficult mental season in terms of being uncomfortable, when you’re uncomfortable, you’re able to grow.”

A Cedar Rapids native, Stokes is the daughter of former NBA draft pick Greg Stokes, who played two seasons in Philadelphia and Sacramento. She is also well-accomplished on the international level, earning back-to-back Turkish Women’s Basketball Cups with Fenerbahçe, a long-running squad based in Istanbul.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets sign ex-Giants LB Alec Ogletree to practice squad

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New York Giants, Alec Ogletree

Alec Ogletree won’t have to move far for his next football destination, as he’ll switch blue for New York Jets green.

The New York Jets have added linebacker Alec Ogletree to their practice squad. Ogletree, set to turn 29 later this month, spent the last two seasons with the New York Giants, the Jets’ MetLife Stadium co-tenants. New York also added receiver Jaleel Scott to their practice squad and placed fellow catcher Donte Moncrief on practice reserve injured reserve.

Ogletree arrived in the metropolitan area in 2018 through a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Ironically, one of the New York draft picks sent to the Rams in the trade became defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who’s new Ogletree’s teammate with the Jets. Ogletree earned All-Pro honors as a member of the Rams in 2016, joining the team as a first-round pick (30th overall) in three years prior.

With the Giants, Ogletree earned 173 tackles over the last two seasons. He earned five interceptions during his first year in 2018 (good for a third-place in the league rankings), two of which were returned for touchdowns. His most notable moment last season was a 12-tackle performance, which included a sack. of Tom Brady, in an October tilt against the New England Patriots. Ogletree also served as a defensive team captain in each of his two seasons in blue. He was released by the team in February.

Scott entered the league as a fourth-round pick (132nd overall) out of New Mexico State in 2018. He earned one six-yard reception over the last two seasons as a member of the Baltimore Ravens and was part of the team’s final cuts on September 5. Fellow veteran Moncrief was also a part of the cuts on the Jets’ side, but was readded to the practice squad shortly after.

The Jets open their 2020 season on Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets: Track the cuts as the countdown to 53 begins

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New York Jets

ESM has you covered as the New York Jets begin the countdown to a 53-man roster in time for their Week 1 tilt against Buffalo.

Cuts have begun for the New York Jets, as the team begins to officially form a 53-man roster upon the conclusion of training camp. ESM has you updated on whose green dreams end, if only temporarily for some, as the 4 p.m. Saturday deadline for a gameday approaches

(Cuts are confirmed by the Jets unless otherwise noted)
(*-added to the practice squad)

RB Pete Guerriero

The Monmouth alum was on and off the Jets’ training roster, most recently brought back in on Tuesday. He ran for 1,995 yards last season in Long Branch, leading all backs in Football Championship Subdivision after starting his football journey at Lyndhurst High School.

LB James Burgess

One of the earliest cuts may turn out to be one of the more surprising ones. The veteran Burgess rose to the occasion when injuries struck the linebacking corps, and he earned a team-best 80 tackles as well as his first career interception and safety. (Adam Schefter)

C Jonotthan Harrison

A Friday night Instagram post from Harrison all but confirms his New York departure. Thus likely ends a three-year tenure with the Jets after coming over from Indianapolis in 2017, a stretch that saw him partake in 40 games, starting 19 of them.

*CB Lamar Jackson

The “no, not THAT Lamar Jackson” jokes have been put on hold, at least temporarily. He previously joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska. (Brian Costello)

CB Nate Hairston

Hairston was one of several former Indianapolis Colts on the New York roster, coming over in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick prior to the 2019 draft. In New York’s he’s perhaps best known for earning his first career interception against Miami last season. (Rich Cimini)

OL James Murray

A two-time All-Patriot League nominee at Holy Cross, Murray signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets last fall, shortly after he was taken by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the eighth round of the XFL Draft’s offensive line portion. (Brian Costello)

*QB Mike White

White, a former Dallas Cowboys draft pick, notably threw a touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios during the team’s scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. His departure makes David Fales the presumptive nominee for Week 1’s backup quarterback if Joe Flacco isn’t ready. (Manish Mehta)

CB Zane Lewis

Signed by the Jets on Monday, Lewis was previously picked up by the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted out of Air Force. He finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference last season with 15 pass defenses. (Manish Mehta)

*WR Lawrence Cager

An influx of released veteran receivers (including Hakeem Butler and Mohamed Sanu) perhaps led to the release of Cager. The Georgia alum was impressing before an injury sidelined him. (Manish Mehta)

CB Javelin Guidry

The speedy Guidry signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie out of Utah. His last game action saw him earn six tackles an interception in the Utes’ Alamo Bowl tilt against Texas. (Rich Cimini)

OL Jared Hilberts

Hilbers was added as the most compensated UDFA of the bunch. After a quiet camp, the Washington product now finds himself without a home, although he could be a practice squad add. (Brian Costello)

*TE Ross Travis

Travis joined the team prior to last season’s finale. He previously worked with Kansas City and Indianapolis, earning 14 receptions over five seasons. (Manish Mehta)

WR Jehu Chesson

Chesson recently earned time with the starting unit after injuries struck the receiving corps. Formerly a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Chesson joined the Jets on a futures contract in January. (Adam Schefter)

RB Josh Adams

Adams followed general manager Joe Douglas over from Philadelphia, where he earned 511 rushing yards as a rookie during the Eagles’ Super Bowl trek. The Jets signed him to the practice squad last season and he was promoted to the active roster in November, but never found a spot in the New York rotation.

*QB David Fales

Joe Flacco is on the active roster, leading to the release of Fales, who has also served as a reserve quarterback in Adam Gase systems in Miami and Chicago.

WR George Campbell

Campbell was added as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia after transferring from Florida State. He had only 19 receptions with the Mountaineers, but seven went for touchdowns.

WR Josh Malone

Malone spent a majority of the 2019 season on the Jets’ practice squad before a December promotion. He partook in two games but earned no receptions.

*WR Donte Moncrief

The release of Moncrief perhaps shows that the Jets are confident in the respective statuses of Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims. The former third-round pick was signed to the team on Monday.

*WR D.J. Montgomery

The former Austin Peay Governor was another recent addition who was let go. Montgomery earned some attention last preseason, starring for the Cleveland Browns.

TE Daniel Brown

Brown had re-signed with the Jets back in February. Last season, he earned seven receptions while subbing for Chris Herndon, including his first touchdown catch since 2016 in a win over Washington.

*TE/DL Bronson Kaufusi

Kaufusi was on and off the Jets’ practice squad over the last two seasons. This summer, he was attempting to make a transition from the defensive line to tight end.

G Josh Andrews

Another Douglas transplant from Philadelphia, Andrews likewise brought over a Super Bowl ring from the City of Brotherly Love. He spent parts of last season with Indianapolis, joining off the Eagles’ practice squad.

*OL/DL Corbin Kaufusi

There will be Kaufusi representation on the Jets’ roster for the time being, with Bronson’s brother likewise released. He began a transition from the defensive line…and basketball…last season.

C Brad Lundblade

An Oklahoma State alum, Lundblade previously spent time on the practice squads of Seattle and Cincinnati, and later appeared on Carolina’s active roster last season.

CB Bryce Hall

Hall was not outright released, but was instead placed on the non-football injury list. The Jets chose Hall, an All-American from Virginia, with their fifth-round pick in April.

DB Shyheim Carter

Formerly of Alabama, Carter previously spent time (along with Hall) on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list during this training camp period.

S Matthias Farley

Farley partook in 13 games with the Jets last season, mostly working on special teams after signing with the team when Indianapolis dropped him after last season’s round of late summer cuts.

*S Bennett Jackson

The Hazlet, NJ native and Raritan High School alum, Jackson had two separate stints with the Jets last season, partaking in his first regular-season NFL action since 2015.

This list will be updated pending further developments (LAST UPDATE: 9/6/20, 8:05 p.m. EST)

New York Jets claim WR D.J. Montgomery off waivers

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New York Jets

The former Clevelander didn’t have to wait long for another NFL call, as the New York Jets seek to rework their depleted receiving corps.

The New York Jets have turned to the waiver wire to restock their dwindling receiving unit, claiming D.J. Montgomery. This move comes after the trade for  Kalen Ballage was voided after the Miami Dolphins running back failed his physical.

Montgomery, 23, entered the league last season as an undrafted free agent out of Austin Peay. In his final year with the Governors, Montgomery led the Ohio Valley Conference with 18.9 yards per reception. Notable APSU alumni to make it to the NFL include linebacker Jeff Gooch, defensive lineman Bonnie Sloan (the first deaf player in league history), and Percy Howard (whose one career reception was a 34-yard touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X).

He got off to a strong start during the NFL preseason, earning 124 yards on five receptions over Cleveland’s first two games and even scored a touchdown in their 30-10 win over Washington. However, a hamstring injury sidelined Montgomery for the rest of the season, and he did not appear in any regular season games. The Browns waived him on Saturday, but the Jets came calling after losing Jeff Smith to a shoulder injury.

New York’s early struggles with injuries have been well-documented. Smith had an opportunity with the Jets’ premier units after ailments befell top targets Breshad Perriman (knee) and Denzel Mims (hamstring). The newly acquired pair has been unable to partake in most of the training camp proceedings thus far. Another knee injury befell undrafted standout Lawrence Cager. Experienced veteran help has been called upon to pacify the issue, with the Jets signing Chris Hogan and Donte Moncrief.

The Jets’ regular season opens on September 13 against the Buffalo Bills.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets set to sign WR Donte Moncrief (Report)

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New York Jets

Set to assist the New York Jets’ depleted receiving corps, the veteran Moncrief spent last season with Pittsburgh and Carolina.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the New York Jets are set to add veteran receiver Donte Moncrief. The receiver must first pass COVID-19 protocols before joining his new squad. Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

Moncrief, who turned 27 earlier this month, entered the league as an early entry, third-round pick (90th overall) of the Indianapolis Colts in 2014. After four years in Indianapolis, he spent a year with the Jacksonville Jaguars before spending last season between Pittsburgh and Carolina. Overall, he has earned 2,561 yards on 204 receptions, good for 21 touchdowns, over six seasons so far.

Notably, Moncrief scored seven touchdowns in only nine games during the 2016 season while dealing with both a shoulder and hamstring issue. As a rookie, he earned a postseason touchdown with a 36-yard score from Andrew Luck in the Colts’ 26-10 win over Cincinnati in the wild-card round.

Fans of Moncrief’s new employers may remember him for a 67-yard touchdown against the Jets in a September 2018 get-together in Duval. Moncrief had a season-best 109 receiving yards in Jacksonville’s 31-12 win. To date, it’s his last 100-yard game.

Upon his arrival to camp, Moncrief, who also worked out with San Francisco, should help a depleted New York receiving corps that has been befallen by injury during their training camp proceedings. Potential top targets Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims have been dealing with injuries, as has undrafted standout Lawrence Cager. Head coach Adam Gase did mention that he expected Perriman to return to practice this weekend. Moncrief was one of several veteran receivers who auditioned to fill the gap. Kevin White was also in that group but the former first-round pick recently inked a deal with the aforementioned 49ers.

The Jets welcome back veteran slot man Jamison Crowder and also signed two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Hogan earlier this month. But beyond that, there is little experience, the rest of the roster populated by inexperienced veterans and undrafted free agents. Moncrief is expected to shore up that spot on the depth chart and add reliable hands to a developing offense.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags