Jets Promote WR Jamaal Pritchett to 53-Man Roster Amid Receiver Injuries
The short version
- Jets signed WR/returner Jamaal Pritchett to the 53-man roster on Saturday
- Injuries to Omar Cooper Jr., Arian Smith and Tim Patrick depleted the receiver group
- Pritchett went undrafted in 2025 out of South Alabama and spent time on the practice squad in 2025 and 2026
- He could take over punt return duties after Isaiah Williams fumbled two punts last week
After two years on the practice squad, the undrafted South Alabama product gets his opportunity as injuries deplete New York's receiving corps.
The New York Jets signed wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett to their 53-man roster on Saturday, giving the undrafted free agent his first promotion to the active roster. The move comes as injuries have left the Jets thin at wide receiver early in the 2026 season.
Pritchett originally joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2025 after going unselected in that year's NFL draft despite a late invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he performed well. He earned praise for his training camp and preseason work in 2025 but was released during final roster cuts and spent the season on the practice squad without being called up.
The pattern repeated in 2026. Pritchett again impressed in camp but was cut in late August and re-signed to the practice squad. His path to the active roster appeared blocked when the Jets kept Isaiah Williams, a 2025 Pro Bowler, as the return man.
Opportunity arrived through attrition. Rookie first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and went on injured reserve. Fourth-round pick Arian Smith and veteran Tim Patrick followed him to injured reserve after the second game.
Pritchett's route to this point was long. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, he was lightly recruited out of high school and walked on at South Alabama. He caught just two passes as a freshman before breaking out in 2023, piling up 150 receptions for 2,010 yards over his final two college seasons.
Pritchett could also factor into the return game on Sunday. Williams fumbled two punts in last week's game, and with the receiving corps depleted, the Jets may expand Williams' offensive role and hand punt return duties to Pritchett.
The Jets visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT at Ford Field. The game airs on FOX.
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