Jets sign Port Jefferson native Elijah Riley off Eagles' practice squad
Former Newfield star Elijah Riley was most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles. Credit: AP
The Jets signed Port Jefferson native Elijah Riley off the Eagles' practice squad.
Needing depth in the secondary, the Jets turned to Riley, a former standout safety at Newfield High School. Starting safety Marcus Maye suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in the Jets’ loss to the Colts last Thursday night and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Riley, 23, returns close to home where he led Newfield to the Long Island Class II title in 2015 and earned the Carl A. Hansen Award, given to Suffolk’s top player.
After attending West Point, Riley was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The 5-11, 214-pound Riley appeared in five games for the Eagles last year and one this season, mostly on special teams. Riley played four defensive snaps for Philadelphia in 2020.
The Jets opened the season with Maye and LaMarcus Joyner as the starting safeties. Both sustained season-ending injuries. The healthy safeties on the roster are Ashtyn Davis, Sharrod Neasman and Jarrod Wilson.
Riley is the second Long Island product on the Jets' active roster, joining right guard Greg Van Roten, who went to Chaminade High School. Former East Islip star quarterback Rob Calabrese is the Jets’ quarterback coach.
The Jets also put tight end Tyler Kroft on IR with a chest injury.
