Jets' Signing: Little Known Lineman Takes Veteran's Practice Squad Spot

As Rodger Saffold goes to the Browns, New York adds Vitaliy Gurman as replacement

The New York Jets have signed a second-year pro to fill the Practice Squad spot vacated by a grizzled veteran.

After releasing 35-year-old offensive guard Rodger Saffold on Tuesday, the Jets added his replacement on Wednesday. The team announced the signing of offensive lineman Vitaliy Gurman to a P-Squad contract. Meanwhile, Saffold, who has 173 regular season starts under his belt, has quickly joined the postseason-bound Cleveland Browns on a Practice Squad deal.

Gurman, a former small-school college prospect, has yet to make his NFL regular season debut. The Empire State product initially entered the league as an undrafted free agent for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders after training camp and spent his rookie year in Silver & Black. After being released by Las Vegas this past September, Gurman had a short 10-day stint as a Practice Squad player with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 25-year-old Gurman played three seasons collegiate seasons for NCAA Division II member Edinboro before transferring up to Toledo, a Division I FBS program. Seeing time at guard and tackle, Gurman totaled 19 starts for the Rockets. 

Gurman is one of three offensive linemen on the Jets' 16-member Practice Squad, joining tackle Obinna Eze and guard Chris Glaser.

Saffold, who signed with the Jets on October 31, saw no game action during his short stay in New York. 

"It's not that it didn't work. We signed him to see if we get some depth from a Practice Squad standpoint," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh. "Rodger's been an unbelievable teammate. He had an opportunity to see if he can get onto a playoff team and we wanted to give him that opportunity."

The Jets have started six different players at right guard this season, but Saffold was not one of them. The 14-year NFL veteran made 16 starts for the 2022 Buffalo Bills and was not retained despite qualifying for the Pro Bowl Games as an alternate. 

The Jets also officially announced the release of veteran running back Dalvin Cook on Wednesday.

Running Back Released: No Role in Jets' Kitchen for Dalvin Cook

Jets' Practice Squad (Jan. 3)

FB Nick Bawden

CB Anthony Brown

S Trey Dean

OT Obinna Eze

OL Chris Glaser 

OL Vitaliy Gurman 

CB Tae Hayes

DT Bruce Hector

CB Craig James

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball

WR Lance McCutcheon

RB Jacques Patrick

K Austin Seibert

DT Marquiss Spencer

WR Malik Taylor

RB Xazavian Valladay

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