Matt Simms entered training camp with a slim chance of making the roster. He woke up this morning still on it.
The Jets cut their roster down to 53 players yesterday and the most noteworthy cut was the team waiving quarterback Greg McElroy, choosing instead to keep Simms as their potential third-string quarterback.
One surprising wrinkle is the Jets also held onto quarterback Graham Harrell, who they just signed Wednesday. Harrell could compete with Simms for that third quarterback spot, or the Jets may be just holding onto four until Sanchez recovers from his shoulder injury.
McElroy was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 draft after a standout career at Alabama. McElroy played in two games last season, starting one. He entered training camp ahead of Simms on the depth chart, but injured his left knee in the Jets’ first preseason game and missed the final three games.
During that time, Simms made his move. He showed great arm strength and surprising accuracy. He completed 74.6 percent of his passes this preseason. His training camp was capped off with his performance Thursday night against the Eagles. He completed 33-of-44 passes for 285 yards, making it impossible for the Jets to choose McElroy over him.
McElroy was waived with an injury designation.
The team surely will make more cuts today as they add players claimed from other teams, so this is by no means the final roster entering the season, but a few players that were long shots when camp began did make the cut.
Wide receiver Ryan Spadola, an undrafted free agent out of Lehigh, made it through the most recent round of cuts.
The Jets held onto just five wide receivers, meaning they must believe Santonio Holmes is near full strength or they plan on adding one soon. Spadola played well during camp and opened up the coaches’ eyes in preseason games.
Linebacker Danny Lansanah, a 28-year-old who has bounced around the NFL and the Arena League, also made it through.
All seven of the Jets’ draft picks made the team.
* Here are the players who were cut yesterday:
McElroy, OT Jason Smith, LB JoJo Dickson, DL Junior Aumavae, C Erik Cook, CB Mike Edwards, DL Tevita Finau, RB Mossis Madu (injury settlement), WR Mohamed Massaquoi, S Rontez Miles, DL Lanier Coleman, CB Royce Adams, WR Michael Campbell, LB Troy Davis, WR Ben Obomanu, TE Chris Pantale, WR Zach Rogers, LB Jacquies Smith and OT J.B. Shugarts.
The Jets released K Dan Carpenter and DT Antonio Garay on Friday.