The Jets had a roster spot open after releasing three players Monday and re-signing linebacker Bryan Thomas and wide receiver Patrick Turner, one that many likely assumed would go to a cornerback to help try to fill the enormous hole left open by Darrelle Revis’ torn ACL.
They’ve decided to move in a different direction, though. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets have filled that spot by signing running back Jonathan Grimes off of the Texans’ practice squad. Grimes was an undrafted rookie out of William & Mary who drew some nice notices at Texans camp, but wound up on the practice squad thanks to the presence of Arian Foster, Ben Tate and Justin Forsett.
Grimes’ arrival comes a day after Jets coach Rex Ryan suggested that running back Shonn Greene’s hold on the lead tailback role might not be as strong as it was coming into the season. Greene has averaged less than three yards per carry through the first three games and Bilal Powell saw more time in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins than he’d seen in the first two weeks of the season.
The Jets also play the Texans in Week Five, so they might like to get some information from Grimes about what the No. 1 team in the PFT Power Rankings has been up to in practice. Grimes has to remain on the 53-man roster for three weeks, though, so it would be a lot of effort to get more information than what’s already available on film.
Mehta also reports that the team is working out veteran cornerback Chris Carr this week. Carr, who was one of the Vikings’ final cuts, could wind up signing with the team when they place Revis on injured reserve.