New York Jets Elevate Tre Brown Again Amid Cornerback Crunch

The New York Jets elevated cornerback Tre Brown from the practice squad on Saturday. This move makes him active for the team’s Week 16 game against the New Orleans Saints. It marks the third straight week Brown will suit up for the Jets.

This decision highlights the team’s ongoing depth issues in the secondary. According to team reports, the Jets have now used all three of their standard practice squad elevations on Brown for the 2025 season.

Veteran’s Unusual Journey Leads to New York

Tre Brown’s path to this elevation has been winding. The 28-year-old was originally a fourth-round draft pick by Seattle in 2021. He spent his first four seasons with the Seahawks.

His 2025 journey included stops with two other teams. He was with the San Francisco 49ers in training camp before an injury settlement. Brown then spent five weeks with the Los Angeles Rams before his release in late October.

The Jets signed him to their practice squad on November 11th. His experience provides valuable depth for a thinning position group. His playing time has been mostly on special teams so far.

Roster Decision Looms After Final Elevation

This week’s move uses the Jets’ final standard elevation for Brown this season. NFL rules allow a practice squad player to be elevated for game day three times per year. After that, the team must sign him to the 53-man active roster to play him again.

This creates a clear decision point for Jets management next week. They must either sign Brown permanently or go without his services. The cornerback room is dealing with significant injuries.

Rookie Azareye’h Thomas was placed on injured reserve recently. This leaves the unit notably short-handed. Head coach Aaron Glenn even joked about coming out of retirement to play cornerback himself.

Info at your fingertips

What is an NFL practice squad elevation?

It is a mechanism allowing teams to temporarily promote a practice squad player for a game. A player can be elevated up to three times in a season without being signed to the full roster. After that, a standard contract is required.

Why is Tre Brown’s elevation significant for the Jets?

It is significant because the Jets have now used all three of their allowed elevations on him. This forces a permanent roster decision next week. The team is also dealing with injuries at the cornerback position.

What has Tre Brown’s role been with the Jets so far?

He has primarily played on special teams. In his previous game-day elevations, he logged only eight total defensive snaps. His value right now is as experienced depth.

Who are the Jets’ current healthy cornerbacks?

The main group includes Brandon Stephens, Jordan Clark, Ja’Sir Taylor, and Qwan’tez Stiggers. The loss of Azareye’h Thomas to injured reserve has stretched this unit thin, creating a need for Brown’s elevation.

What did Coach Aaron Glenn say about the cornerback situation?

He humorously suggested he might make a comeback at 53 years old. This joke underscored the seriousness of the depth problem. He mentioned covering star receivers like Stefon Diggs.