The New York Jets have put wide receiver Allen Lazard on injured reserve and signed kicker Riley Patterson from the practice squad as part of several roster changes just hours before their game against the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
Defensive tackle Leki Fotu was also placed on IR, while offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom was added to the active roster, and tight end Anthony Firkser was released. Tight end Kenny Yeboah was activated from injured reserve.
Defensive backs Kendall Sheffield and Jarius Monroe were promoted from the practice squad, and defensive end Takk McKinley was added to the practice squad.
Lazard had been ruled out due to a chest injury he suffered during the game against Pittsburgh on October 20. He ranks third on the Jets with 30 catches for 412 yards and leads the team with five touchdown receptions.
Patterson is stepping in for Greg Zuerlein, who was placed on IR on Wednesday with a left knee injury. Zuerlein has struggled this season, missing six of his 15 field goal attempts.
Patterson won a competition that included at least six kickers brought in by the Jets this week. He was with Washington during training camp and has successfully made 59 out of 67 field goals in 39 NFL games with Detroit, Jacksonville, and Cleveland.
New York decided to sign Patterson and rookie Spencer Shrader to the practice squad, choosing Patterson as the kicker for the game against the Texans.
Fotu missed the Jets’ first five games due to a hamstring injury before playing two games and injuring his knee against Pittsburgh.
