The New York Jets just picked up offensive tackle Blake Freeland off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, making some serious adjustments to their roster on Tuesday. This wasn’t just a simple addition either; in a whirlwind of moves, the Jets placed offensive lineman Max Mitchell on injured reserve and released cornerback Tre Brown from injured reserve, shaking things up big time in early November.
A Comeback Story or a Big Risk for Freeland?
Freeland’s journey to the Jets has been, well, a ride. The Indianapolis Colts waived him back on August 31, and he landed on the Bengals’ practice squad after that. But get this: the guy missed the *entire 2025 season* because of a fracture in his right leg. That’s a huge hurdle to overcome. Before that, Freeland, a fourth-round pick out of BYU in the 2023 draft, had shown promise. As a rookie, he made nine starts and appeared in 15 games. Then in 2024, he played in eight games, logging 36 special teams snaps and 23 on offense. It’s clear the Jets are looking at his prior potential, but you have to wonder about the risk after a full year sidelined with a serious leg injury.
Jets’ O-Line Shuffle Continues Amidst Injuries
This move for Freeland didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Jets are dealing with some real headaches on their offensive line. Max Mitchell, a fourth-round pick from the 2022 draft out of Louisiana, was just diagnosed with a concussion during a Week 7 practice and has missed the last two games. That’s a tough blow, especially since Mitchell has been a consistent presence for the Jets, playing in 51 games for them over his career, including 22 special teams snaps in the first six weeks this season. Adding Freeland is a clear sign the Jets need to bolster their depth, especially with Mitchell now on injured reserve. To round out the roster chaos, cornerback Tre Brown, who hit injured reserve back on August 30, was released. It’s a classic November shuffle as teams battle injuries and look for any edge they can find.
The Jets are clearly trying to shore up their offensive line, taking a flyer on a player with a significant injury history. It’s a gamble, but in the thick of the season, every move to gain depth counts. What kind of impact can Freeland, coming off a lost season, truly make? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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