REMEMBER ME? Braylon Edwards, the sometimes controversial former Jets wideout who failed to make an impact after catching on this season with the Seahawks, was placed on waivers yesterday and could return to Gang Green, which is very thin at receiver. (Paul J. Bereswill)
Braylon Edwards may be coming back.
The Jets, according to sources, are mulling the option of trying to re-acquire Edwards, the wide receiver who played for them for two seasons in 2009-10 but who called the organization’s decision-makers “idiots” in a tweet last week.
Edwards has spent this season with the Seahawks, but he was taken off their injured list yesterday. He is now on waivers, so the Jets can try to acquire him by putting in a claim today or waiting to see whether he clears waivers then trying to sign him as a free agent.
Injuries have wiped out much of the Jets’ receiving corps. Santonio Holmes is out for the season with a foot injury, rookie Stephen Hill has a sprained LCL in his knee and Clyde Gates has missed the past two games due to a concussion. Hill’s status for Monday’s game against the Titans won’t be known until at least Thursday, and it is uncertain Gates will be ready to return either.
That leaves the Jets with just four healthy receivers on the roster, led by Jeremy Kerley and Chaz Schilens. The other two are Mardy Gilyard (signed before the Cardinals game two weeks ago) and Jordan White (a rookie who has appeared in one game and has not caught a pass). Titus Ryan was signed to the practice squad yesterday.
The Jets released running back Kahlil Bell on Tuesday, according to a source. That clears a roster spot to add a wide receiver, perhaps Edwards.
Last Monday, Edwards tweeted a defense of quarterback Mark Sanchez, writing, “Don’t blame Sanchez. I played there. Blame the idiots calling shots. Mark is a beast and will [prove] it when given a proper chance.”
He later apologized, tweeting, “I would like to apologize to the Jets family and my fans for my emotional outburst. Mark is a friend and former teammate, who I wholeheartedly support. Nonetheless, I have disrespected and insulted an administration that I have the utmost respect for.”
Rex Ryan, who enjoyed a good relationship with Edwards, was asked about the idea of pursuing the wideout yesterday prior to Edwards being let go by Seattle.
“You guys know what I’ve always said about Braylon in the past, so you know how I feel about him, but right now, I think we’ll just focus on the guys we have,” Ryan said.
Edwards, who turns 30 in February and reportedly is earning $825,000, possesses a familiarity with Sanchez and the Jets offense, but he has not been a remotely productive receiver since leaving New York and he has a checkered past off the field.
The Jets acquired Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, from the Browns in a trade before Week 5 of the 2009 season. After Edwards caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010, the Jets let him go in free agency and replaced him with Plaxico Burress.
Edwards played just nine games with the 49ers last year, recording 15 catches for 181 yards and no touchdowns. This year with Seattle, Edwards tallied eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in 10 games.
Edwards was arrested for DWI in September 2010 and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge. He also was involved in a 2009 fight in Cleveland and was put on probation.