Tag: Jabari Zuniga

Former Gator Jabari Zuniga retires from NFL at age 25

After three years in the NFL, former Florida defensive end Jabari Zuniga is calling it a career.

Things never really took off in the NFL the same way they did in college for former Florida defensive end [autotag]Jabari Zuniga[/autotag], who retired on Sunday at the age of 25, according to ESPN.

Zuniga signed with Florida in 2015 as a three-star recruit out of Sprayberry High in Marietta, Georgia. After redshirting his freshman year, Zuniga played in all 13 games for the Gators in 2016, including three starts. Injuries slowed him down in his sophomore campaign, but Zuniga was a full-time starter in 2018.

After playing just six games in 2019, Zuniga declared for the NFL draft, leaving Florida with 118 career tackles (54 solo), 34.5 tackles for a loss and 18.5 sacks. The New York Jets selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft, but he only ended up playing the second half of his rookie season after being placed on injured reserve.

Ahead of the 2021 season, the Jets waived Zuniga and re-signed him to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster by Week 8 but only made appearances in three games. New York waived him again in August of 2022, and the Seattle Seahawks brought him in for a month on the practice squad.

New Orleans ended up being his final stop. He signed there in October and is now retired nine months later. Over three seasons, Zuniga earned $1,740,452.

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25-year-old Saints defensive lineman retires from the NFL

This is a bit of a surprise: 25-year-old Saints defensive end Jabari Zuniga chose to retire from the NFL, the team announced Sunday

NFL careers are fleeting, but it’s still surprising to see one cut short so soon. Especially when it’s a decision the player made for themselves. On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints listed defensive end Jabari Zuniga on the reserve/retired list, meaning he’s made the choice to step away from the game — whether for his own health, with other career opportunities in mind, or some other reason is unclear. He’ll turn 26 in August.

A former Florida Gator, Zuniga was picked by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, but by Sept. 2022 he had been waived by New York and signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. The Saints signed him to their practice squad that October and brought him back to compete for a roster spot in 2023.

He leaves the NFL having appeared in a dozen games while earning a respectable $2 million through his various pro contracts, per Over The Cap’s records, and we’ll wish him well. The Saints may decide to sign another defensive end to carry through training camp, but right now this is the group under contract for 2023:

  • Cameron Jordan
  • Carl Granderson
  • Payton Turner
  • Isaiah Foskey
  • Tanoh Kpassagnon
  • Niko Lalos

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Seahawks round out practice squad with signing of 2 more members

The Seattle Seahawks have maxed out their practice squad with the addition of two more members – LB Joshua Onujiogu and DE Jabari Zuniga.

The Seattle Seahawks filled out their practice squad on Monday with the addition of two more players – outside linebacker Joshua Onujiogu and defensive end Jabari Zuniga.

Onujiogu originally signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent and made the squad when the initial 53-man roster was announced before he was waived the following day. Having cleared waivers, he was eligible to be added to the Seahawks practice squad.

Zuniga was first selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2020 draft and spent the majority of last season as a practice squad member.

With the exemption allowed for linebacker Aaron Donkor due to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, the Seahawks have maxed out their practice squad at 17.

The Seahawks are set to practice Tuesday before an off day on Wednesday.

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New York Jets waive Jabari Zuniga, hope to sign him to practice squad

The second-year former third-round pick was released Wednesday, but the Jets may bring him back on the practice squad.

The career of former Florida defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga took yet another turn on Wednesday when the second-year former third-round pick was released by the New York Jets, who drafted him in 2020. Zuniga is currently dealing with a knee injury, but Jets general manager Joe Douglas said that he wants to bring Zuniga back to the practice squad.

Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Zuniga’s career. His best collegiate season came as a redshirt junior in 2018 when he played and started in all 13 games and totaled 6.5 sacks. He entered the 2019 season as a preseason First Team All-SEC selection, but injuries limited him to just six appearances.

In spite of health concerns, New York hoped to maximize his upside when it drafted him. That didn’t materialize, as he appeared in eight games as a rookie but totaled just five tackles. He only played in the team’s first game this preseason, totaling one tackle.

His current and collegiate teammate, linebacker Jarrad Davis, is also dealing with injuries and was placed on the injured reserve. He suffered an ankle injury in the team’s second preseason game.

The Jets still hope they can develop Zuniga into a contributor, but it looks like he’ll have to do that development from the practice squad if it’s going to happen in New York.

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Jets release Jabari Zuniga, re-sign 3 cuts, add 3 to injured reserve

The Jets released Jabari Zuniga on Wednesday, but Joe Douglas hopes to add the defensive lineman to New York’s practice squad.

The Jets released Jabari Zuniga on Wednesday, but Joe Douglas told reporters that New York hopes to add the defensive lineman to its practice squad if he clears waivers.

A 2020 third-round pick, Zuniga played in eight games as a rookie last season. He recorded just five tackles. Zuniga has been hampered by injuries dating back to his time at Florida. He is currently dealing with a knee injury.

Speaking of injuries, the Jets placed OL Conor McDermott (knee), LB Jarrad Davis (ankle) and S Ashtyn Davis (foot) on injured reserve.

WR Jamison Crowder, meanwhile, is dealing with a minor groin tweak. His absence from Wednesday’s practice created some trade speculation, but there’s nothing doing on that front. Crowder will be evaluated on Monday

Finally, the Jets re-signed three of their recent cuts: S Sharrod Neasman, TE Dan Brown and TE Ryan Griffin.

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Jets OL Cameron Clark taken to hospital after scary neck injury

Jets OL Cameron Clark was taken to the hospital after suffering a neck injury. Robert Saleh said he had “some” movement in his extremities.

A scary scene unfolded at Jets practice Tuesday when offensive lineman Cameron Clark was carted off the field and left in an ambulance after suffering a neck injury.

Robert Saleh cut practice short after Clark left the field on a spine board. The coach didn’t go into details about the cause or severity of the injury, though Saleh did say that Clark had “some” movement in his extremities. He added that the team will know more later Tuesday.

Clark was taken to Morristown Medical Center, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Clark was set to be a backup lineman – likely a guard – in his second season after the Jets took him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. He did not play at all last year due in part to a shoulder injury.

Two other Jets left Tuesday’s practice early with injuries. Backup offensive lineman Chuma Edoga suffered a knee injury, but Saleh said that he doesn’t think it’s a “long-term” ailment. Defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga exited early as well, though Saleh didn’t know what the injury was when he spoke to reporters.

Zuniga missed a lot of time with a quad injury during his rookie season in 2020.

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6 Jets who need to impress at OTAs

Which Jets need to impress at OTAs in order to improve their prospects of seeing the field under New York’s new coaching staff?

With OTAs underway at One Jets Drive, now is the time for a handful of players on New York’s roster to step up and prove their worth to Gang Green’s new regime.

The Jets will host nine more practices over the next three weeks before the offseason concludes with a mandatory minicamp from June 15-17. That gives New York’s fringe players — young ones and veterans alike — ample opportunities to earn a prominent position on the depth chart and prove they deserve a roster spot.

Robert Saleh and his coaching staff will have plenty to take in over the next couple of weeks as they work to shape the Jets’ 2021 roster. Here are six players who need to impress at OTAs to improve their standing entering training camp.

Jets injury report: Jabari Zuniga activated, Jamison Crowder misses practice

The Jets activated DE Jabari Zuniga and designated LB Patrick Onwuasor to return from injured reserve.

The Jets got a bit healthier this week.

New York made several roster moves ahead of its Week 8 matchup with the Chiefs, including bringing back a few injured players. New York activated rookie defensive end Jabari Zuniga, designated linebacker Patrick Onwuasor to return to practice and brought receiver Lawrence Cage back to the practice squad. Zuniga and Onwuasor haven’t played this season after sustaining injuries in training camp and being placed on injured reserve on Sept. 7.

Zuniga could make his Jets debut as early as this week against the Chiefs. The third-round rookie would be a welcome addition to the Jets defensive front-seven after Gang Green lost lineman Kyle Phillips to an ankle injury. Phillips was placed on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday.

The Jets have 21 days to activate Onwuasor after designating him to return following a knee injury he suffered in training camp. The inside linebacker would likely backup Neville Hewitt or Avery Williamson after signing with the Jets this offseason. Onwuasor tallied 48 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks and six quarterback hits for the Ravens in 2019.

Cager returns to the practice squad after suffering a knee injury in Week 4 against the Broncos. He hasn’t played since but could be called up again if the Jets need more receiver help in the coming weeks. Cager, a 2020 undrafted free agent, caught two passes for 35 yards in his first NFL start after being called up from the practice squad early this season.

The Jets released quarterback David Fales from the practice squad to make room for Cager. Mike White will remain on the practice squad as the Jets third quarterback behind Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco.

As for the injury report at practice, WR Jamison Crowder (groin) didn’t participate but could Thursday. S Bradley McDougald (shoulder) is being evaluated and is not expected to practice this week. WR Breshad Perriman is still in concussion protocol. K Sam Ficken (groin) could return to practice this week.

Darnold (shoulder) was limited for precautionary measures.

Jets place 5 on IR to make room for Josh Andrews, Daniel Brown, Matthias Farley and Nate Hairston

The Jets placed five players on injured reserve to make room for Josh Andrews, Daniel Brown, Nate Hairston and Matthias Farley.

One day after releasing them in order to get their roster down to 53 players, the Jets signed offensive lineman Josh Andrews, tight end Daniel Brown, safety Matthias Farley, cornerback Nate Hairston and back to the team’s active roster on Monday.

In order to make room for Andrews, Brown, Farley and Hairston, New York placed offensive lineman Cameron Clark (shoulder/knee), linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (knee), wide receivers Jeff Smith (shoulder) and Vyncint Smith (core muscle surgery), and defensive lineman/outside linebacker Jabari Zuniga (quad) on injured reserve.

With the new injured reserve rules in place, players are allowed to return to practice after three weeks of being on the shelf, which would make them eligible for a Week 4 return. Getting back some reinforcements at wide receiver in Week 4 could be a crucial boost for the Jets as they have a short week with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Broncos.

Both Smith’s showed flashes of promise throughout training camp, but also fell victim to the barrage of injuries that decimated the wide receiver room. Between injuries to both Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims and both Braxton Berrios and Jamison Crowder banged up, New York may have to rely on both undrafted free agent wideouts to play some significant snaps early in the year.

Onwuasor sustained a non-contact knee injury in training camp, but doesn’t have any ligament damage. He’s out 4-5 weeks and for the time being, leaves the Jets thin at inside linebacker with only three players — Avery Williamson, Blake Cahsman and Neville Hewittt — that remain healthy. Zuniga, New York’s third-round pick out of Florida missed the majority of training camp dealing with a quad injury. Clark, a fourth-round pick out of Charlotte, has been banged up with a shoulder and knee injury.

The new rules allow Gang Green to demonstrate some roster flexibility before the start of the season. By placing five players on injured reserve and adding just four, New York has one remaining roster spot to add another depth piece prior to Sunday’s game against the Bills.

Jets Injury Report: Jeff Smith hurts shoulder, Greg Van Roten limited on Saturday

Jets Injury report from practice on Aug. 29.

The Jets got even thinner at wide receiver on Saturday, as Jeff Smith left practice with a shoulder injury.

Smith injured his shoulder diving for a pass in 7-on-7 drills and promptly left the field with a trainer. He is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. If Smith is forced out of action for an extended period of time, he will be the latest Jets wideout forced to the sideline. Both Breshad Perriman (knee) and Denzel Mims (hamstring) missed practice and it remains to be seen when they will return.

Prior to his injury, Smith had been taking reps with New York’s first-team offense and was having a solid training camp. Undrafted free agent George Campbell stepped into his spot on Saturday and impressed with a touchdown reception from David Fales and a contested first down catch going up against Quincy Wilson.

Pierre Desir (hamstring), Tarell Basham (ankle) and Jabari Zuniga (quad) also missed practice. Rookie Bryce Hall, who was recently activated from the COVID-19 reserve list, did not practice and was placed on the active/non-football injury list as he works his way back from a gruesome ankle injury suffered in his senior year at Virginia.

Greg Van Roten practiced, but was limited due to an oblique injury suffered in practice on Wednesday. Brian Poole was also limited as he returns from dehydration, working exclusively on special teams. James Burgess returned after missing time because of a back injury.