Vyncint

Smith

The team also signed P Sterling Hofrichter, OT Jonathan Hubbard, WR Travis Jonsen, and WR Austin Watkins to reserve/future contracts. Smith spent the summer of 2021 with the Jets but was cut before the season started. He will be fighting for a roster spot in Tampa Bay this time around.

Smith opened 2020 on injured reserve with a core muscle injury but was often left inactive on gameday even after returning. The writing was on the wall for Smith after the Jets overhauled their receiving room in the offseason. The Jets may sign him to the practice squad after finalizing their 53-man roster.

A restricted free agent, Smith was retained for less than the “low” tender amount of $2.1 million, though his new deal reportedly includes “heavy” incentives. Smith is bringing home just $70,000 guaranteed, so his 53-man roster spot is far from assured. The Jets’ old coaching staff seemed to love the 24-year-old. He will try to maintain his role as a core special teamer and occasional offensive reserve. Injuries limited Smith to only seven 2020 appearances.

Jamison Crowder and Frank Gore are both (surprisingly) active, though it remains unclear just how much either will be used on Sunday. Fantasy players should look elsewhere for subs for both players rather than potentially taking a zero in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.

Smith is still expected to miss another 3-5 weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery in mid-August. With Breshad Perriman (knee) and Denzel Mims (hamstring) recovering from injury in Week 1, the Jets may be forced to utilize Jamison Crowder, Chris Hogan, and Braxton Berrios in three-wide sets against the Bills. In that scenario, the team would likely call up either Donte Moncrief or Lawrence Cager from the practice squad.

He’s expected to miss “5-8 weeks” after injuring himself during camp. Smith had been working in three-wide sets while rookie Denzel Mims (hamstring) was sidelined, but those reps will now fall to Jeff Smith and veteran Chris Hogan in the interim. Breshad Perriman and Chris Herndon remain winners in the short-term, likely sliding in as every-down players out of necessity.

Crowder joined the Jets in 2019 and immediately got to work. He recorded 78 receptions for 833 yards and six touchdowns. Crowder led the Jets in every receiving category. McDonald did go on to say that Crowder being the top option by a wide margin is “is a bit concerning.” The Jets selected Denzel Mims with the No. 59 overall pick but Mims is unable to practice due to a hamstring injury. Breshad Perriman is expected to start on the outside and could see an increased role if Mims isn’t healthy. Jeff Smith also had an impressive showing in practice while Mims and veteran Vyncint Smith were sidelined.

Smith had been running with the first-team offense with Denzel Mims (hamstring) out. It’s another hit to an already thin depth chart. The Jets signed WR Chris Hogan as insurance.

Denzel Mims (hamstring) has been absent the past week of camp, which has allowed Smith to compete for the team’s No. 3 receiving role behind Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman. This is notable news for the latter as it’s Smith and Mims who are clearly in competition to start in three-wide sets and not, as initially thought, Mims and Perriman. The 26-year-old free agent signing, who most recently flashed over the final month of the season in Tampa, remains a confident flier at his current 13th-round ADP as the WR57.

Smith had been talked up by the Jets coaching staff for most of the season. He had an expanded role down the stretch for an injured Demaryius Thomas -- running as the No. 3 receiver. With Thomas and Robby Anderson both free agents, Smith could be in line for a larger role in 2020, but he’s going to face competition for targets.