Ashtyn Davis and Sharrod Neasman are on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Elijah Riley is in concussion protocol. That means the Jets’ only healthy safeties are a pair of players who haven’t taken a single snap for New York.
Meet Will Parks and practice squad member Elijah Benton.
Parks was claimed off waivers this week after the Dolphins released him on Dec. 20. The 27-year-old played for the Broncos and Eagles from 2016-2020. He has 180 tackles, 13 defended passes and four interceptions for his career.
Benton, meanwhile, was signed in early December. The 25-year-old spent time with the Seahawks and Patriots this season. Benton entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Browns in 2020. He appeared in one game for Cleveland and only played a handful of snaps on special teams.
Both players now have a chance to see significant snaps at safety, a position that has hindered the Jets all season. There is a chance Riley returns this week after his scary Week 15 collision, but Parks and Benton could play a lot either way when the Jets face the Jaguars this weekend.
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