The New York Jets signed Jaylin Simpson from the Indianapolis Colts’ practice roster on Wednesday, making the former Auburn defensive back eligible for his NFL debut on Sunday.
Simpson entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft choice of the Colts on April 27. He did not make the 53-man active roster coming out of the preseason and has spent the 2024 campaign on Indianapolis’ practice squad.
New York signed Simpson as wide receiver Irvin Charles went to injured reserve. One of the Jets’ top special-teams players, Charles sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament covering a punt during a 32-26 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Simpson started his Auburn career as a cornerback, but he played safety in 2023. Indianapolis listed Simpson as a cornerback on its roster, but New York shows him as a safety on its roster.
With a 3-10 record, the Jets have four games remaining to play, starting with a visit to EverBank Stadium to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at noon CST Sunday.
If Simpson gets on the field, he’d become the 32nd Auburn alumnus to play during the 2024 NFL season. That would equal the program’s NFL participation for the 2023 season.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.