Jets Create Practice Squad Spot amidst Reports of Siemian Signing

Reserve defensive back loses spot to accommodate new signal caller

The New York Jets entered the day with the maximum number of 16 players assigned to their Practice Squad.

With veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian ready to sign a PS deal, the team made room for the expected addition by releasing cornerback Craig James. The 27-year-old defensive back was in his second season as a Green & White practice player.

James, who inked a reserve/futures contract this past January, has played in 21 career NFL games but has not been active for a regular season gameday since 2020. He appeared in all four Jets' preseason contests this past summer, making multiple tackles in three of the outings.

With James's departure, Nehemiah Shelton is the lone cornerback remaining on the Jets' Practice Squad. 

Siemian will join Gang Green's quarterbacks room, the team officially announced on Tuesday evening. The 31-year-old field general spent the 2023 preseason with the Cincinnati Bengals. Failing to win the backup job behind Joe Burrow, Siemian went 36-of-65 passing for 316 yards and two interceptions over three exhibition contests.

Since the Denver Broncos made him a seventh-round draft pick in 2015, Siemian has made 35 regular season appearances (30 starts) and passed for 7,027 yards, 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. He owns a 13-17 record as an NFL starting quarterback.

Jets' Practice Squad

WR Irvin Charles

S Trey Dean

LB Sam Eguavoen

OL Chris Glaser

DL Jalyn Holmes

S Tyreque Jones

TE Zack Kuntz

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball

OT Cedric Ogbuehi

OT Adam Pankey

OL Jason Poe

K Austin Seibert 

QB Trevor Siemian

CB Nehemiah Shelton

DL Marquiss Spencer

WR Malik Taylor 

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