It has been two weeks since quarterback David Garrard announced that he was abandoning his effort to make the Jets because of a knee injury, but he remained on the team’s roster since the Jets hadn’t moved him to the Reserve/Retired list.
That changed on Thursday. The Jets announced that Garrard has been placed on the list. Based on the way Garrard was talking when he left the Jets and the fact that he has not played in an NFL game since the 2010 season, it’s a good bet that this isn’t going to be the kind of temporary retirement once favored by another quarterback who joined the Jets late in his career.
The Jets offered Garrard a coaching internship during training camp this summer, something that Garrard said he was considering. If he does come to camp with the team, he’ll likely be a sounding board for rookie Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez during their competition for the starting quarterback job.
Garrard’s roster spot will go to wide receiver Ben Obomanu, who signed a deal with the team. Obomanu was a member of the Seahawks from 2006 through last season, when he caught four passes in eight games. That makes him a familiar face to Jets General Manager John Idzik, who likely thinks Obomanu provides depth on offense and an experienced hand on special teams.