The Jets are addressing their need for help and depth at wide receiver by signing veteran Rishard Matthews, a league source confirmed Tuesday. Matthews was released by the Titans earlier this season after requesting the team trade or waive him.
Matthews, 29, was a top target for Marcus Mariota in Tennessee with 118 receptions for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons. This season, he only had three catches for 11 yards before being released.
The Jets are short-handed at numerous positions, including wide receiver and desperately in need of help at that spot.
In Sunday's loss to the Vikings, the Jets' wide receiver corps consisted of Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, two special teams players (Andre Roberts and Charone Peake) and rookie Deontay Burnett in his NFL debut. Quincy Enunwa missed Sunday's game because of a high ankle sprain. That injury could sideline him a few more weeks.
The Jets also waived Terrelle Pryor over the weekend after he suffered a groin injury that could keep him indefinitely. The Jets needed to open a roster spot to promote Burnett from the practice squad so they waived Pryor.
It was possible the Jets could bring back Pryor when he was healthy, but that may not be the case after signing Matthews.
Linebacker and former Titan Avery Williamson said the Jets are getting a good playmaker.
"He's actually a phenomenal player," Williamson said during his weekly spot with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on WFAN. "I played with him in Tennessee for two years. He's a passionate player and talented, very talented.
"He can go. He can go. He can add some great things to the receiving corps. Great hands and he can make something out of nothing. I've seen him make some phenomenal catches."
Matthews spent four years in Miami before being traded to the Titans. He has 228 career catches for 3,147 yards and 21 touchdowns. Matthews' best season was 2016 when he caught 65 passes for 945 yards and nine touchdowns with Tennessee.
The Jets reportedly were interested in former Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper, who was traded to the Cowboys on Monday. But the Jets probably had no interest in dealing a first-round pick, which is what Dallas sent to Oakland.
ESPN was the first to report the Jets were signing Matthews.
