© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Jets Country Player Profile: CB Craig James (31)
Craig James's first season with the New York Jets came as a member of the Practice Squad.
The former undrafted free agent saw limited regular season game action with the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles earlier in his career, but finds himself in a cornerback logjam in New York.
Coincidentally, James experienced one of his most memorable moments as a pro against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Days after being signed to the Eagles' active roster, the little-known defensive back made a victory-clinching play in the final minute of a Week 4 Thursday Night Football road game.
With Rodgers and the Packers only three yards away from a game-tying touchdown, James tipped a quick slant pass up into the air on 2nd-and-Goal and Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham made the interception to seal the 34-27 win.
The 5-foot-10 James totaled 14 appearances for Philadelphia over the course of the 2019 campaign, playing over 60 percent of the special teams snaps.
Special teams contributions could be the best path back to an active NFL roster for James, who has 21 career games under his belt.
Competing for the Vikings as a rookie, he made his pro debut on December 2, 2018. The Southern Illinois product appeared in three late-season contests, seeing action exclusively on specials.
Craig James, Cornerback
Number: 31
Current Status: Reserve
How/When Acquired: FA Signing to PS / 2022
College: Southern Illinois
2022 Final Stats: Practice Squad
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