Offensive Guard Joins Jets' Active Roster for Week 15 Matchup in Miami
The New York Jets added an interior offensive lineman to their 53-man roster prior to the Week 15 road game against the Miami Dolphins.
The team announced the signing of Xavier Newman off the Practice Squad on Saturday. To make room on the roster, the Jets moved sixth-round rookie linebacker Zaire Barnes to Injured Reserve.
Newman, who initially joined the Jets' Practice Squad in early October, expended his three gameday elevations and subsequently signed to the 53-man roster prior to the Week 12 home game against Miami. Newman started at right guard on Black Friday and was released the following week. The Jets brought him back onto the Practice Squad on December 5.
The 24-year-old Newman, a second-year pro, entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Tennessee Titans. He totaled four appearances over one-plus seasons for the Titans, who released the lineman on October 2. Since joining the Jets, Newman has played 170 offensive snaps. He saw his first action in Green & White against the New York Giants in Week 8. Newman entered the game at right guard and finished it as the center.
With Wes Schweitzer on IR and Max Mitchell questionable for the December 17 game in Miami, Newman provides insurance for an injury-ravaged Jets' front five. The Jets started former Green Bay Packers' center Jake Hanson at right guard last week against Houston.
Barnes, the No. 184 overall selection at the 2023 NFL Draft, has played in four games as a rookie. He was last active on November 24 against the Dolphins. The linebacker logged 32 special teams snaps over a four-week span.
In other pregame moves, the Jets elevated linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball and defensive end Jalyn Holmes from the Practice Squad for Sunday's AFC East battle at Miami.
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