Jets sign QB John Wolford, waive Lucky Whitehead
Wake Forest's John Wolford (10) looks to pass against Texas A&M during the first half of the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 29, 2017. Credit: AP / Chuck Burton
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets signed quarterback John Wolford, an undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest. To make room on the roster, the team waived/injured receiver Lucky Whitehead, who is recovering from surgery to repair a broken foot.
The 6-1, 200-pound Wolford started four seasons at Wake Forest and as a senior last year led the ACC with 29 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns. In his career, he had a 59.7 percent completion rate, with 59 TDs and 41 Interceptions.
Coach Todd Bowles said the Jets were thinking of possibly carrying Wolford on the practice squad.
“We wanted to come in and see if he could learn the system a little bit, so we brought a guy in a week early because we had an extra spot to use,’’ the coach said.
Asked if Wolford might play in Thursday’s preseason finale, Bowles said it depends how much of the playbook he can absorb by then.
“It would be unfair to him if he didn’t know, but if he can learn a few things, he may get in the second half,’’ Bowles said.
Five or six spots up for grabs
Bowles said he thinks “there’s about five or six’’ roster spots still have to be decided by Saturday’s cutdown day. And he said former draft picks (like LB Lorenzo Mauldin) won’t have an advantage over free agents or others.
“You draft a guy because you like him,’’ Bowles said. “But if someone outperforms you, whether it’s a draft pick or a free agent, and you get outperformed, then you’re probably going to lose your spot.’’
Jet streams
Bowles said he still doesn’t have a timeline for the return of RB Elijah McGuire (broken foot), so he doesn’t know if McGuire is a candidate for short-term injured reserve . . . The coach also said WR Jermaine Kearse, who missed Friday’s preseason game against the Giants with an abdomen injury, is getting better and is “day-to-day, week-to-week.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
