New York Jets fans, cover your eyes.
The team announced on Saturday, October 11, that they have elevated wide receivers Brandon Smith and Isaiah Williams for the Week 6 Denver Broncos game from the practice squad.
Linebacker Ja’Markis Weston was also “downgraded to out” for the contest.
Williams replaced Xavier Gipson after his fumble issues in the season opener. It didn’t take long for Williams to make his own boneheaded mistakes. They came in the Week 4 Miami Dolphins game on Monday Night Football.
He fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, which resulted in a Dolphins touchdown. Later in the contest, he bizarrely fair caught a ball at his own two-yard line, putting his team in a compromising position.
Ahead of the Week 5 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, Williams was waived by the team, seemingly ending his tenure with the team for his mistakes. However, right before the team took off for London, they re-signed Williams to the practice squad.
Williams Will Be Back in the Lineup
The Jets’ decision to bring him back in any capacity raised eyebrows. Now the team will give him a chance to redeem himself in Week 6.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media, “Jets roster moves: They elevated WR/KR Isaiah Williams and WR Brandon Smith from the practice squad. Looks like Williams will return kicks.”
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic spit out the same response, “Looks like Isaiah Williams will be the returner this week.”
Fans were confused on social media hearing that response. Head coach Aaron Glenn revealed on Friday, October 10, that former All-Pro return specialist Kene Nwangwu was cleared for this Broncos game.
Wouldn’t that mean Williams isn’t on the field as a returner?
Rosenblatt responded, “Kene is the kick returner, not [the] punt [returner].”
Jets Are Playing With Fire on Special Teams
The green and white are the only winless team in football. There is never one singular reason why a team stinks, and the Jets are no different.
However, one reason they have lost two games this season, you could argue, is on special teams.
The Jets lost by two in Week 1 and lost by six in Week 4. In both of those contests, the Jets had fumbles on returns that immediately led to touchdowns for the opposing teams. Now the team is bringing back a player and expecting him to contribute significantly, who was the main villain in one of those games. Bold strategy Cotton.
If you wipe those two fumbles away, the Jets could have won both of those games.
Cimini recently shared a silver lining to the 2025 season: “The Jets have three losses by six points or less, tied for the most in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals.”
The Curious Case of Jamaal Pritchett
If the Jets needed a punt returner, they have one of those on the practice squad.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL draft, the Jets inked former South Alabama product Jamaal Pritchett.
While small in stature, 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, he more than makes up for it with his playmaking ability on the field.
Cimini said Pritchett clearly beat out Gipson throughout training camp and the preseason. However, the deciding factor in that decision was that the coaching staff trusted Gipson more.
Ironic, isn’t it?
Pritchett has yet to make his NFL debut this season as he rots away on the team’s practice squad.
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