Carl Lawson to IR among New York Jets’ roster moves

The New York Jets announced a series of roster moves on Monday, headlined by the placement of defensive end Carl Lawson on injured reserve. Lawson, signer of a three-year, $45 million contract over the offseason, ruptured his Achilles tendon during a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers last week.

New York also added defensive end Aaron Adeoye and offensive lineman Isaiah Williams while waiving cornerback and kick returner Corey Ballentine.

A previous report from ESPN Adam Schefter indicated that the Jets would seek pass rushing help in the wake of Lawson’s injury and the arrival of Adeoye appears to be their first step in that endeavor. Adeoye, a basketball player at several Division I programs, has spent the last two seasons in Baltimore’s system, partaking in a single game with the Ravens last season. His previous professional stops include Champions Indoor Football with the Salina Liberty, The Spring League, and the Alliance of American Football’s Birmingham Iron. He earned 20 tackles and a forced fumble for the Iron, who had clinched an AAF playoff spot at the time of the league’s shutdown in April 2019.

Meanwhile, Williams has spent time on and off the practice squads of seven NFL teams and also has professional spring football experience through the AAF (Atlanta) and XFL (Tampa Bay). Williams’ most recent NFL time came with the San Francisco 49ers, where he signed in December and was waived on August 10.

The Jets also bid farewell to Ballentine, a former New York Giants draft pick who established himself as a kick returner after joining the team in November. Ballentine averaged 26.2 yards on 12 returns last season and took back a Green Bay kickoff 73 yards in Saturday afternoon’s victorious exhibition. His runback set up the Jets’ second and final touchdown of the day, an 18-yard Zach Wilson pass to tight Tyler Kroft.

New York (2-0) ends its preseason on Friday night at MetLife Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles (7:30 p.m. ET, WCBS).