Jets linebacker Ja’Markis Weston will return to practice this week after starting the season on injured reserve, per Brian Costello of the New York Post.
That will start Weston’s 21-day practice window to be activated to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending IR.
Weston, 25, signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May. He received $200k in guaranteed money, indicating that he had a legitimate shot to make the 53-man roster. However, an ankle injury in the Jets’ last preseason game forced him onto IR, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season.
Weston’s return to practice comes two weeks after the team placed starting linebacker Quincy Williams on IR. Fifth-round rookie Francisco Mauigoa has started the last two games in Williams’ place next to Jamien Sherwood.
Weston, a Florida product, started his collegiate career as a wide receiver before moving to safety in his third season. He converted to defensive end in his fifth and final season and will now play linebacker in the pros.
Transitioning to the NFL as an off-ball linebacker is difficult enough, so Weston’s lack of experience at the position may keep him in a special teams role once he is back on the field. Even if he gets up to speed quickly, Williams could be back from IR in as few as two weeks, which will continue to limit Weston’s defensive snaps. It would likely take some additional linebacker injuries in New York to give Weston any kind of role on defense once he is ready to play.