© Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

It seemed like a sensible move when it happened, but it turned out to be a complete non-factor.

After signing a Practice Squad deal with the New York Jets on October 31, veteran offensive guard Rodger Saffold never saw the field. With one game remaining on the regular season schedule, the Jets announced that they released Saffold on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Saffold made 16 starts at left guard for the 2022 Buffalo Bills, who elected to let the grizzled veteran walk. As the Jets' offensive line injuries piled up, the team added Saffold as an experienced option on the interior.

New York has been forced into deploying 12 different starting offensive line combinations this season, but Saffold was not included in any of them. Instead, the Jets elected to promote and start undrafted second-year pro Xavier Newman as well as former Green Bay Packer Jake Hanson at right guard. Newman and Hanson initially joined the team as P-Squad players.

In all, the Jets have started six different men at the right guard spot in 2023.

After being taken No. 33 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, Saffold spent his first nine pro seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-foot-5 Saffold, who began his NFL tenure as a tackle, has totaled 176 regular season appearance (173 starts) over 13 seasons.

The Jets likely targeted Saffold due to his familiarity with offensive line coach Keith Carter from their shared time as Tennessee Titans.

On January 7, the Jets (6-10) will close out their regular season slate with a visit to the New England Patriots (4-12). The game will kick off at 1:00 pm ET.

MORE HEADLINES:

Penalty Problems Still Plaguing Saleh's Jets

'Freakish' Jermaine Johnson Continues Second-Year Surge in Primetime

Another Embarrassing Incident for Micheal Clemons

Duane Brown's Season to End on IR, Jets' Rookie TE Takes His Roster Spot

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season