Jets Release Pineiro, Riley & Others

By Phil Sullivan Posted On August 23, 2022

As we mentioned earlier today, the Jets have released kicker Eddy Piñeiro, which means that Greg Zeurlein has won that competition. The team also announced four other roster moves, to get down to the limit of 80 players. S Elijah Riley, OL Isaiah Williams, OL Caleb Benenoch and LB Kai Nacua were the other players released.

Here are the details from the team.

Piñeiro (6-0, 185) signed with the Jets last December and made all 8 of his field goal attempts last season with a long of 51 yards. He made his one attempt in the preseason and both extra points. He connected on 9 of his 10 extra points. Piñeiro first signed with the Raiders in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Florida before joining the Bears in 2019-20 and has made 86.1% of his field goals.

Riley (6-0, 205), the Army product who was signed off Philadelphia’s practice squad last November, started at safety in seven of the Jets’ last eight games last season. He had 45 tackles and 3.0 TFLs. Riley first signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Benenoch (6-5, 305) signed with the Jets August 9 after spending last season with the Saints (one start). He was originally drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round in 2016 out of UCLA and spent three full seasons in Tampa Bay before stints with the Patriots, Panthers, Cowboys and Lions, all in 2019. Benenoch has appeared in 36 games (23 starts) and taken 1,385 career snaps.

Williams (6-3, 295) spent the 2021 season on and off the team’s practice squad and appeared in 4 games. The Akron product signed as an undrafted free agent with Washington in 2016 and has had stints with five other NFL teams — Chiefs (2017), Colts (2017), Raiders (2018), Saints (2018) and Ravens (2019).

Nacua (6-0, 205), a converted safety, signed with the Jets last December and played in three games. He originally signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2017 and has had stints with the Ravens (2018), Panthers (2018-19) and Colts (2019) before joining the 49ers practice squad (2020). Nacua has 19 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit in 25 games (3 starts).

This Article Was Written By Phil Sullivan

Phil Sullivan

I started JetNation in 2005 and have been a New York Jets season ticket holder since graduating from high school. My dream is to see the New York Jets win the Super Bowl. Until then, I will be right here on JetNation writing, dreaming and talking NY Jets football.