Jets Activate Rookie WR Arian Smith Ahead of Divisional Clash with Dolphins
After being a surprise healthy scratch in last week’s win over the Falcons, rookie wide receiver Arian Smith is back in uniform for the New York Jets-and just in time for a divisional showdown with the Miami Dolphins.
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that the fourth-round pick will be active for today’s game, telling reporters that Smith is “ready to go.” Glenn didn’t offer details on why Smith sat out last week, simply saying, “That’s something that me and him will keep between us,” and leaving it at that. Classic coach-speak, but it’s clear the door was never closed on Smith’s return.
Now, the rookie gets another shot to carve out his place in a crowded receiver room-and with five games left in the regular season, the timing couldn’t be better.
A Quiet Start, but the Tools Are Loud
Smith’s rookie campaign has been fairly quiet so far. He’s appeared in 11 games, starting five, but has only seen 10 targets come his way.
He’s caught six of them for 47 yards and added 11 rushing yards on three carries. Not eye-popping numbers, but they don’t tell the full story of what Smith brings to the table.
Where he has made his presence felt is on special teams. Smith has logged 34 snaps in the third phase, mostly as a gunner, and has one tackle to his name. He’s also returned two kickoffs, averaging 24.5 yards per return-solid production for a rookie still finding his footing.
But let’s talk about what makes Smith such an intriguing piece for this Jets offense: the athleticism. The Georgia product lit up the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical, a 127-inch broad jump, and elite agility numbers in the three-cone (6.82 seconds) and short shuttle (4.19 seconds).
That’s not just fast-that’s field-tilting speed. And when you have that kind of athletic profile, you don’t need a ton of touches to make an impact.
One well-timed deep shot, one reverse, one broken play-and Smith can change the game.
A Window of Opportunity
With the Jets sitting at a pivotal point in their season, the final stretch offers Smith a real chance to prove he belongs in the offensive rotation-not just as a gadget guy or special teams ace, but as a legitimate contributor. The Jets’ receiving corps has dealt with its share of inconsistency and injuries this year, and there’s certainly room for someone with Smith’s skill set to step in and make noise.
This week’s matchup against the 5-7 Dolphins is more than just a divisional game-it’s a chance for New York to avoid a season sweep after falling to Miami back in Week 4. And for Smith, it’s a shot at redemption on a personal level, too. After being held out last week, he returns to the field with something to prove.
The Jets don’t need Smith to be a star today. But if he can flash that speed, stretch the field, and maybe flip field position on special teams, he could be the kind of spark plug that helps tilt a tight game in New York’s favor.
And who knows? With five games left, this could be the start of something bigger.