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Jets Activate Two Players Off COVID-19 List

The New York Jets activated special teams standout Justin Hardee and receiver Jeff Smith from the COVID list before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Max Goodman

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The Jets activated cornerback and special teamer Justin Hardee and wide receiver Jeff Smith off the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Friday morning.

There are still 18 other players on New York's COVID list, but this is certainly a step in the right direction, adding two players back to the fold before Sunday's game against the Jaguars. 

That said, Jets head coach Robert Saleh (who tested positive for the virus earlier in the week) told reporters Friday that he doesn't anticipate that the team will activate any other players before Sunday's game. 

READ: How the Jets Are Handling Their COVID-19 Outbreak

Considering Corey Davis (season-ending surgery) and Elijah Moore (quad, COVID-19) are both out this week—and Jamison Crowder (calf) could sit on Sunday as well—Smith is a key addition for New York's offense.

He'll join Braxton Berrios, Keelan Cole and Denzel Mims as the healthy receivers at quarterback Zach Wilson's disposal against Jacksonville's defense. 

Smith has played in nine games this year, hauling in six passes in that span for a total of 98 receiving yards. Last year, the 24-year-old appeared in 12 games, making four starts and catching 17 passes for 167 yards through the air.

Hardee will be a huge boost for New York's special teams group as well. The veteran was signed in free agency this past offseason and has played in at least 75 percent of special teams snaps in each of the first 13 games of this season before he was sidelined last week against Miami.

The former Saints standout has nine stops on special teams this year, leading the team.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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