Blessuan

Austin

The Broncos also cut LB Jeremiah Gemmel, OT Sebastian Gutierrez, RB JaQuan Hardy, DB Donnie Lewis, and P Sam Martin. Austin was fighting for a depth role in Denver and could be brought back on their practice squad. He spent 2021 in Seattle and 2020 with the Jets. Austin started 10 games for the Jets but saw his role scaled back with the Seahawks.

Austin spent 2021 in Seattle but the Seahawks did not extend him a tender, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He joined Seattle after earning 10 starts for the Jets in 2020. He defended four passes and forced one fumble during his final season in New York. Austin played a mix of special teams and cornerback for the Seahawks and will have a similar role in Denver.

Austin had a fairly nice rookie season in 2019, but was rough enough in coverage in 2020 to get waived. He caught on with the Seahawks but played only 149 defensive snaps in four games, and was thoroughly roasted. He’ll try to catch on elsewhere. The Seahawks also non-tendered OL Kyle Fuller, WR John Ursua, and CB Gavin Heslop.

Austin was a surprise cut after making 10 starts for the Jets last season. The 25-year-old is the latest roster move for the Seahawks, who traded for Sidney Jones and sent Ahkello Witherspoon to the Steelers. With Tre Brown (knee) sidelined, Austin is likely to see Week 1 snaps as a sub-package corner. D.J. Reed is expected to open the season as the starter opposite Tre Flowers.

It’s a bit of a shocker on the surface after Austin was a 10-game starter for last year’s Jets, but this is a new coaching staff with a different scheme, and Austin apparently wasn’t a fit for coach Robert Saleh’s defense. 25-year-old Austin should get another shot elsewhere.

No surprises here. Rookie CB Lamar Jackson is expected to start in Austin’s spot.

Austin will return and immediately replace rookie CB Lamar Jackson, who Adam Gase lauded on his mental toughness no less than 48 hours ago. Absent for New York’s last three games, Austin will start opposite rookie Bryce Hall in one of the secondary’s toughest matchups to date against Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Note that the Seahawks have the second-highest implied team total (30.25) of Week 14.

Already struggling in the secondary, the Jets spent a lot of the week cutting corners and sending others to injured reserve. New York simply doesn’t have the personnel to put up much of a fight through the air at the moment as they rotate dart throws while tanking for Trevor.

Austin was unable to practice Wednesday but did get in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday after leaving Week 4. He’s likely to play at less than full strength. It’s tough timing with DeAndre Hopkins lining up across from him. Jets S Ashtyn Davis also is questionable.

Austin has been an every-down player this season, so it’s a big loss for a secondary that was already walking wounded. The only good news is that Austin will have 10 days to get cleared for Week 5.