Rookie Klubnik named Jets’ backup QB; Ossai sidelined with foot injury
FLORHAM PARK, J. — The New York Jets have their backup quarterback for the start of the regular season. Coach Aaron Glenn announced Monday that rookie Cade Klubnik will back up Geno Smith, ending weeks of speculation about the No. 2 spot.
“He’s our backup quarterback and he’ll do a good job,” Glenn said.
Klubnik, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson in April’s draft, played in all three preseason games, starting two. He completed 16 of 27 passes for 134 yards with one interception, according to the New York Post, while TSN reported he went 21 of 34 for 190 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He led the Jets on three scoring drives but did not throw a touchdown pass, per the Post.
The decision was influenced partly by the practice repetitions Klubnik will receive, Glenn acknowledged. Backup quarterbacks typically run the scout team against the starting defense.
“That was a huge part of it,” Glenn said, according to the Post. He also praised Klubnik’s development: “It’s just the confidence and how he operates and what he’s done in practice and what he’s done in the games. I don’t think anybody ever said that there weren’t going to be hiccups. He’s a rookie. But he’s always learning. He’s a very intelligent guy. We’re proud that we have him. He’s improved over the course of training camp and he’s going to continue to improve.”
The Jets released Bailey Zappe on Sunday and waived Brady Cook, who was claimed Monday by Miami. Cook started four games at the end of last season, according to TSN. The team is expected to bring Zappe back on the practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback, the Post reported.
Ossai week-to-week with foot injury
Edge rusher Joseph Ossai will be “week to week” after rupturing the plantar fascia in one of his feet during Friday night’s preseason game against the Giants, Glenn said Monday. Ossai, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract in March after five seasons with Cincinnati, began the summer on the physically unable to perform list and made his preseason debut against the Giants. He played 11 snaps and had two tackles and a quarterback pressure before being hurt, according to TSN.
Jets add kicker Grupe
The Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe off waivers from Indianapolis on Monday, adding him after Jason Sanders — who beat out Cade York for the kicking job — had a shaky performance in the preseason finale, missing an extra point wide left and coming up short on a 54-yard field goal attempt. Grupe is 86 of 105 on field goals and 96 of 98 on extra points for his career, per TSN.