The Jets saw kick returner Josh Cribbs depart with a shoulder injury during their Week 13 loss to the Dolphins and they made a move on Tuesday that suggests Cribbs’ injury is going to keep him out of action.
Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that the team will sign journeyman returner Darius Reynaud. Reynaud was most recently with the Titans, where he was cut in October after a fumble on a punt return added to subpar production over the course of the season. He returned two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns for the Titans in 2012, however, so Reynaud has had his moments during his five-year career.
Reynaud has little offensive value so he won’t be able to replace Cribbs in the Wildcat role that he’s played quite often in the Jets offense this season. Cribbs has averaged 24.5 yards per kickoff return and 12 yards per punt this season, while also running, catching and passing the ball as the Jets try a bit of everything to move the ball.
It hasn’t worked all that well, but Cribbs does have the team’s highest completion percentage after hitting two of the three passes he’s thrown.
UPDATE 4:11 p.m. ET: The Jets have officially announced Reynaud’s addition with Cribbs going on injured reserve to keep the roster at 53 players.