Jets' Veteran Defensive Tackle Will End Season on IR, Replacement Signed Off P-Squad

Down to two defensive tackles on 53-man roster, New York promotes Jalyn Holmes

First, Al Woods. Now, Quinton Jefferson.

The New York Jets added two veteran defensive tackles in free agency last spring and both saw their first seasons in Green & White cut short due to injuries. The team announced Jefferson's transfer to Injured Reserve on Tuesday, effectively ending the interior lineman's season with three weeks remaining. To fill Jefferson's roster spot, the Jets signed veteran defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes off their Practice Squad. 

Jefferson left the Week 15 road loss to Miami after suffering a first-half hip injury and did not return.

"Quinton Jefferson, not going to rule him out yet, but it doesn’t look good," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Monday.

The 30-year-old Jefferson has been a rewarding signing for the Jets at a reasonable price, accounting for a career-high 6.0 sacks prior to the injury. In 14 games, he totaled 34 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Woods has been on Injured Reserve since October 29. The 36-year-old road block suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in the Week 8 win over the New York Giants. After starting 30 of 34 games the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined the Jets on a one-year free-agent deal this past May. In five-plus games as a Jet, Woods recorded six tackles, two quarterback hits and 1.0 sack. His quarterback pressure forced the Denver Broncos into a safety during a 31-21 road win on October 8.

Holmes has been a gameday elevation each of the past two weeks against Houston and Miami, totaling 37 defensive snaps over that span. The defensive lineman initially joined the organization on August 14 and proceeded to record 2.0 sacks against Tampa Bay in his first preseason game with New York.

The 27-year-old Holmes did not survive roster cutdown day but landed on the Practice Squad. The Jets released the defensive end on October 11 and subsequently re-signed him to a P-Squad deal on October 31. Holmes, who entered the NFL as a Minnesota Vikings' fourth-round draft pick in 2018, has logged 61 tackles over 36 career appearances.

The Jets are especially thin at defensive tackle thanks to the injury bug. Mid-season pickup Perrion Winfrey was also lost to a season-ending injury. Quinnen Williams, Solomon Thomas and Holmes are the lone interior linemen currently listed on the team's 53-man roster.

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