'Hard Knocks' Star Tanzel Smart Returns to Jets

Gang Green boots backup kicker in exchange for veteran defensive lineman

With veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein returning to full health, the New York Jets were able to open up a spot on their Practice Squad. 

The Jets released kicker Austin Seibert and replaced him with defensive lineman Tanzel Smart, who had been out of work for the past 10 days. 

Seibert was signed to a PS deal prior to the Week 2 road game at Dallas, and the team subsequently designated him as gameday elevation for the 30-10 loss. Despite being tagged as questionable, Zuerlein returned for the Week 3 home date with New England and was a full participant in practice this past week.

Smart, who became a fan favorite during HBO's summertime docuseries "Hard Knocks," lost his Practice Squad spot on September 20 when the Green & White added receiver Irvin Charles to the 16-member unit. Since the Jets no longer need an insurance policy at kicker, they were able to bring Smart back into the fold.  

The 28-year-old Smart has spent three-plus seasons on the Jets' Practice Squad. He has been active for six total regular season games with Gang Green, including three outings in 2022.

The undersized defensive tackle initially entered the league as a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft. He made 31 regular season appearances for the Rams before the team released him during the 2020 offseason.

Depicted as a fun and loving underdog by the "Hard Knocks" producers, Smart gained popularity during Episode 3 of the five-part series. Smart's story was revisited in the finale as he failed to make the 53-man roster but later landed on the Practice Squad.

Jets Add Starting Kicker, Backup QB ahead of Sunday's Game vs. Cowboys

Jets' Practice Squad

WR Irvin Charles

S Trey Dean

OL Chris Glaser

DL Jalyn Holmes

S Tyreque Jones

TE Zack Kuntz

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball 

OT Cedric Ogbuehi

OL Adam Pankey

OL Jason Poe

CB Nehemiah Shelton

QB Trevor Siemian 

DL Tanzel Smart

DL Marquiss Spencer

WR Malik Taylor

RB Xazavian Valladay

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