Jets Claim Safety Martin Off Waivers, Re-Sign Receiver Owusu
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The New York Jets capped a busy weekend by adding depth to their secondary and addressing their need for a kick returner.
The Jets claimed safety Ronald Martin off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and re-signed wide receiver-kick returner Chris Owusu a day after releasing him.
To make room for Martin, New York released safety Rontez Miles, a fan favorite, and placed cornerback Dee Milliner, the team's first-round pick in 2013, on short-term injured reserve.
The move with Milliner was expected after he injured his right wrist during training camp and required surgery. By being placed on short-term IR, Milliner can play after eight weeks and would miss seven games since the Jets have a bye in Week 5. Milliner, who has three career interceptions, can start practicing after six weeks, but the Jets will then have 21 days to decide to activate him or place him on season-ending IR.
Martin signed with the Seahawks this offseason as an undrafted free agent out of LSU. He had five interceptions and four forced fumbles in his last three seasons with the Tigers. Martin had 11 tackles and two pass defensed with the Seahawks this summer.
He and Jaiquawn Jarrett are expected to serve as backups to starters Marcus Gilchrist and Calvin Pryor.
Miles had a team-leading 23 tackles in the preseason. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown in the second preseason game against Atlanta. Miles spent most of the past two seasons on the Jets' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster last December.
But before he could play in a game, he was hit in his lower right leg during practice and suffered compartment syndrome, which usually results from bleeding or swelling after an injury and causes high pressure in the area.
He required emergency surgery on the leg to avoid it being amputated. Miles worked his way back from the injury and made the Jets' initial 53-man roster when it was announced Saturday.
New York was left without a clear-cut option at kick returner when Owusu and Walter Powell were cut. The Jets decided to bring back Owusu, who will now be their primary return man on kickoffs, as well as a backup receiver.
Owusu had five catches for 72 yards in the Jets' 24-18 win over the Eagles in the preseason finale on Thursday night. He missed the team's first two preseason games with a concussion, but had a solid camp.
Powell was also brought back late Sunday as the Jets signed eight players to their practice squad, including linebackers Deion Barnes and Taiwan Jones, fullback-outside linebacker Julian Howsare, G Wesley Johnson, cornerback Keon Lyn, tight end Wes Saxton and defensive end Jordan Williams.
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