On Friday the Jets signed running back Michael Smith and released safety Brandon Hardin. Smith adds more depth to an already crowded backfield as camp continues up in Cortland. Smith was a seventh-round pick of Tampa Bay out of Utah State in 2012. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back was utilized for his speed on Special Teams. He had three kickoff returns for the Buccaneers as a rookie, but didn’t play in a game last season. He was released in May.
The Jets are currently dealing with some injuries at the running back position.
Their top two backs, Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson, seem to be doing fine. But Bilal Powell has missed four straight practices with a hamstring injury. Alex Green, who is probably the fifth running back on the Jets’ depth chart, has been dealing with a chest injury. He was limited in Friday’s practice.
The Jets’ No. 4 running back (probably), Daryl Richardson, has remained healthy in camp, after fighting a turf toe injury last season that resulted in the Jets limiting his action in organized team activities and minicamp.
