Jets designate ex-Packers' receiver Reserve/Injured, sign UFL defensive tackle

The New York Jets eliminated one wide receiver from the fierce preseason position battle transpiring in Florham Park.

The Jets placed Malik Taylor on the Reserve/Injured list in a Sunday afternoon transaction. New York used the vacated roster spot to add another variable to the defensive line competition. The front office agreed to terms with defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman, who last competed professionally for the United Football League's San Antonio Brahmas this past spring.

As a result of placing Taylor on IR at this juncture, the Jets cannot designate him to return this season. Should New York want to bring Taylor back when healthy, it would have to release him with an injury settlement and then wait a specified amount of time before being allowed to re-sign him. The 28-year-old wide receiver had not practiced since August 2 due to a shoulder injury.

Taylor spent his rookie season on the Green Bay Packers ' Practice Squad before working his way up to the 53-man roster in Year 2. The Ferris State product played 25 games over the course of the 2020 and 2021 seasons as quarterback Aaron Rodgers secured back-to-back NFL MVP awards.

Although he made three regular season appearances games for Jets in 2023, Taylor faced an uphill battle to earn roster spot this time around. He was, however, seemingly on an upward trajectory prior to the injury.

Meanwhile, Twyman has remained active by playing two consecutive spring seasons. He was with the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions in 2023. The 2021 sixth-round draft pick has yet to made his NFL regular season debut but has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins as a Practice Squad player.

The 25-year-old Twyman will have to battle against former first-round draft pick Takk McKinley and undrafted rookie Leonard Taylor in hopes of stealing the last defensive tackle spot.

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• Failed Jets' experiment gets chance to start for Vikings

• Rodgers's favorite target sparks Jets after slow start vs. Panthers