Arian Smith has a chance to steady the conversation around him, and Tuesday’s practice gave the Jets receiver a much-needed spark.
Smith was already under the microscope after last week’s loss to the Buccaneers, when he let an easy catch slip through his hands on his lone target. Tampa Bay turned that mistake into an interception, and the miss only deepened the questions about whether the 2025 fourth-rounder can survive final cuts and make the Week 1 roster.
But Smith responded in a way that matters. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported that he hauled in an “incredible deep catch” during Tuesday’s practice against veteran defensive back Dane Belton, who fought hard to jar the ball loose but couldn’t pry it away. For a player trying to rewrite the story on himself, that kind of play is exactly the kind of answer he needed.
Smith’s camp has been uneven from the start, with eye-catching grabs mixed in with drops that have made his margin for error razor thin. The Jets’ receiver group may not be especially deep, but that hasn’t changed the reality that his path to the roster still looks steep.
There’s also the larger backdrop of how quickly depth charts can shift. Breece Hall’s groin strain is a reminder that injuries can open doors in a hurry, and veteran running back Kene Nwangwu, known mostly for his special teams work, could see more snaps against the Steelers because neither Hall nor Isaiah Davis (knee) will play.
For Smith, the immediate goal may be simpler than making a big leap up the depth chart. He needs to show he belongs on a practice squad, which can still be a valuable place to land. Players there still get paid, and they get Super Bowl rings just like those on the 53-man roster.
That kind of roster spot can become a lifeline. Injuries hit, needs change, and suddenly teams are scrambling for help. With the NFL’s looser roster rules, clubs have more flexibility than ever, which is why the Jets will likely add a veteran or two to their practice squad for insurance.
What Smith does next will be worth watching on Friday night. The Jets never went back to him after his drop against Tampa Bay, which stood out even more because it came in the first preseason game. Normally, teams want their young players involved as much as possible when the starters are off the field.
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and the Jets’ starting receivers are expected to play against the Steelers. As of publication, Glenn had not said how long the starters will stay in, and it remains unclear whether Geno Smith (ankle) will play.
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