NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets activated rookie defensive end Jabari Zuniga from injured reserve and he could make his NFL debut Sunday at Kansas City.
Zuniga, a third-round draft pick out of Florida, had been sidelined since training camp with a quadriceps injury. He was designated to return from IR on Oct. 7, so the Jets had to make a decision on him this week.
Zuniga could help replace defensive end Kyle Phillips, who was placed on IR on Wednesday with an injured left ankle.
New York announced a few other roster moves before practice: Veteran linebacker Patrick Onwuasor was designated to return to practice from IR, backup quarterback David Fales was released from the practice squad and wide receiver Lawrence Cager was restored to the practice squad from the practice squad IR.
Zuniga had 18 1/2 sacks during his career with the Gators, and could help boost the Jets’ pass rush. He called himself ”the steal of the draft” shortly after New York picked him, and he could get a chance to start to prove it when the 0-7 Jets take on the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Phillips, signed last season as an undrafted free agent, had 11 tackles this year before being hurt in the Jets’ 18-10 loss to Buffalo last Sunday.
Onwuasor began the season on IR after he suffered a non-contact knee injury during training camp. New York will now have three weeks to either activate him or have him remain on IR for the rest of the season.
He spent his first four seasons in Baltimore, where he had 234 total tackles and 9 1/2 sacks. The Jets signed Onwuasor to a one-year deal in April.
Fales had been overtaken on the depth chart by Mike White, who served as Joe Flacco’s backup in the two games Sam Darnold missed with a sprained right shoulder.
Cager, signed in April as an undrafted free agent, was injured while running a route against Denver in Week 4. He has two catches for 37 yards this season.
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