Ohio State WR Draft Pick #37

[Whatever]

(05-26-2017, 05:51 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Ok, this makes sense.  I wasn't sure why the "waived" part was on there instead of just going to IR.  So, not to belabor the point, but do the Jets have to still honor his original contract or do they sign him for a lessor amount?  That seems pretty rough for a guy still trying to just stay healthy.  

Players who have less than 4 seasons accrued have to clear waivers before they can be assigned to the Injured Reserve list before the final roster cut to 53, per league rules.  Generally, there is a gentleman's agreement amongst the teams not to poach waived/injured players, although it does occasionally happen.  For example, the Patriots claimed former OSU TE Jake Ballard from the Giants years back when he was waived/injured, then assigned him directly to IR after the final cut down day.

The fact that Smith was waived is being blown out of proportion due to a slow news week, as it's just a formality the Jets have to go through to put him on IR.  Presuming he clears waivers, the Jets will have to honor the original contract, but the signing bonus doesn't accelerate as it would if another team claimed him.