The New York Jets are dealing with an injury at linebacker. Quincy Williams is on IR and must miss a minimum of three more contests.
Meanwhile, an opportunity to sign a veteran replacement just became available, with the Las Vegas Raiders shockingly releasing Germaine Pratt from his contract.
Pratt had played 88 percent of the defensive snaps in the Raiders’ first four games of the season, a mysterious rift developed between him and Pete Carroll, with the player not traveling to Indianapolis for their Week 5 game with the Colts despite not carrying any injury designation.
Speculation essentially became reality when the Raiders released Pratt on Monday, absorbing $3.75 million in dead money.
The veteran linebacker has notched 25 tackles this year. Pratt had been playing a versatile role as an occasional edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, something the Jets could justify being interested in.
Despite that, the Jets should resist temptation and bypass an opportunity to sign Pratt.
Rookie linebacker Kiko Mauigoa has been playing in Williams’ absence. The Jets are an 0-5 rebuilding team. They need to continue developing young players like Mauigoa, as opposed to benching them for has-been 29-year-old defenders like Pratt.
Williams’ injury justifies bringing a linebacker in, but Aaron Glenn needs to keep giving reps to his young players.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 season.