NFL suspends Jets cornerback for one game

The Jets will be without a cornerback for the start of the 2023 campaign. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Brandin Echols has been hit with a one-game suspension.

In a follow-up tweet, Pelissero reports that Echols was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. This stems from the player’s involvement in a high-speed car crash that partially paralyzed a man in 2022. Echols was later accepted into a diversionary program and avoided assault by automobile charges.

The 2021 sixth-round pick was thrust into a significant role as a rookie, compiling 63 tackles and two interceptions while starting all 14 of his appearances. After appearing in 760 defensive snaps as a rookie, he got into only 69 defensive reps in 2022. He still had a significant special teams role in his 13 appearances.

The Jets don’t have a whole lot of experienced outside CB depth behind Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Even with the suspension, Echols should be in contention (with the likes of Bryce Hall) for the backup outside cornerback role.

The organization also cleared a roster spot by placing defensive end Bradlee Anae on injured reserve, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. The former fifth-round pick has seen time in 11 career games, all with the Cowboys. He spent the majority of the 2022 campaign on the Jets’ practice squad. Anae will now require an injury settlement if he hopes to take the field for a team during the 2023 campaign.