Receiver Rejoins Jets' Active Roster, Takes Injured Vera-Tucker's Spot
Initially returning to the New York Jets in a Practice Squad role, receiver Irvin Charles is officially back on the team's 53-man roster.
The team signed the second-year pro to the active roster amongst a flurry of personnel moves on Wednesday morning. Charles takes the spot vacated by offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker, who went onto the Injured Reserve list after tearing his Achilles in Week 5.
"We've been trying to find ways to get him up and we had an opportunity, and we did it," said third-year head coach Robert Saleh on Wednesday
With Charles moving up, the Jets created a second open spot on the Practice Squad by releasing defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes. They simultaneously filled the two PS vacancies by adding offensive lineman Dennis Kelly and defensive lineman Elerson Smith to the 16-man unit.
The 26-year-old Charles, who spent the 2022 season on the Jets' Practice Squad, made his NFL regular season debut as a gameday elevation in the win over the Denver Broncos. Charles made an immediate impact on special teams in Week 5, forcing a muffed punt after the first possession of the game. Linebacker Sam Eguvoen recovered the loose ball and set the Jets up for a Greg Zuerlein field goal that opened the scoring.
While Charles logged two snaps on offense and 21 on specials in the Jets' 31-21 road win, veteran receiver Mecole Hardman was a gameday inactive.
"Irv made this team initially because of his special teams ability and it’s just a matter of just trying to get him up, especially as a gunner. When we lost Echols, we really, really needed a gunner opposite [Justin] Hardee," said Saleh on Monday after the 31-21 victory. "Irv showed it on that first punt forcing that fumble, so he’s an animal on teams and a tremendous asset to this team."
Charles, who hails from Sicklerville, NJ, made the Jets' initial 53-man roster out of training camp before losing spot when backup quarterback Tim Boyle was called up prior to the Week 2 game at Dallas. The Jets brought Charles back on a PS deal on September 20. The Garden State product made three catches for 61 yards in preseason action.
Meanwhile, both additions bring NFL game experience to the Jets' Practice Squad.
Smith, a 6-foot-7 edge rusher, has made 13 appearances for the New York Giants since being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Giants waived Smith this past summer.
Kelly, a 6-foot-8 offensive tackle, is an NFL journey man with 130 career appearances, including 54 starts, under his belt. He played 16 games for the Indianapolis Colts last year and subsequently spent the 2023 preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jets' Practice Squad (Updated Oct. 11)
CB Kalon Barnes
S Trey Dean
CB Tae Hayes
CB Craig James
S Tyreque Jones
OT Dennis Kelly
TE Zack Kuntz
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
OL Xavier Newman
OL Jason Poe
QB Trevor Siemian
DT Tanzel Smart
DE Elerson Smith
DL Marquiss Spencer
WR Malik Taylor
RB Xazavian Valladay
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