Jeff Smith News

Smith spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jets, and he'll stick in New York after signing with the Giants. He's never commanded more than 37 targets in a single season and has seen his role steadily decline in each of the last three campaigns.

Smith posted a goodbye to New York on his personal Twitter account Tuesday, solidifying Pelissero's report. The veteran speedster secured eight of 11 targets for 134 in 11 appearances with the Jets last season, including a 77-yard game against the Lions in Week 15, before going down with a knee injury. He will look to secure another depth role on the open market.

Smith had his best game of the season Week 15 against Detroit, hauling in four passes on five targets for 77 yards. However, he apparently injured his knee in that contest and sat out last week's loss to Jacksonville. With his subsequent placement on IR, Smith won't be able to return this season unless the Jets make the playoffs and advance to the AFC Championship Game.

Smith will miss a second game in a row Sunday as he continues to nurse the knee injury he sustained in Week 15 versus the Lions. The wide receiver was able to take advantage of the absence of Corey Davis in that contest, producing four catches for 77 yards in the loss. With Davis now back on the field, Smith will likely have a miniscule roll when he's able to return.

Even with the benefit of a longer turnaround for Week 17 after the Jets played the Jaguars last Thursday, Smith hasn't moved past the knee injury that sidelined him for the 19-3 loss to Jacksonville. Prior to sitting out against the Jaguars, Smith posted season highs in catches (four) and receiving yards (77) in a Week 15 loss to the Lions, but that production came with Corey Davis sitting out with a concussion and with Denzel Mims suffering a brain injury of his own during the contest. Davis was cleared to play Week 16 and Mims is in the final stage of the concussion protocol as of Wednesday, so with both wideouts likely to be available Sunday in Seattle, Smith may find it difficult to recapture a role on offense if he suits up this weekend.

The same applies to Denzel Mims (concussion), which sets the stage for Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios to lead the Jets' Week 16 wide receiver corps. Smith's next chance to suit up for a game will arrive Jan. 1 against the Seahawks.