WEDNESDAY, 2:53pm: The Jets are promoting LeQuan Lewis from the practice squad to their active roster, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
TUESDAY, 6:53pm: The Jets clarified their previous release and announced that Smith is joining the practice squad, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. The Jets still have an open spot on their 53-man roster.
6:22pm: The Jets announced that they have signed cornerback Brandon Smith to take Lankster’s place, according to Manish Mehta of the Daily News (on Twitter). An earlier report indicated that Smith was headed to the Jets’ practice squad but it sounds like he’ll join the active roster.
Smith, a converted receiver, first came into the NFL with the Panthers in 2011 as an undrafted free agent.
4:54pm: The Jets have released cornerback Ellis Lankster, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Gang Green released Lankster on September 1st but re-signed him on September 12th. The 27-year-old struggled a bit in training camp this summer, but he was called back as the Jets secondary struggled thanks in part to injuries. Lankster appeared in 37 games for the Jets across the last three seasons and has even seen a bit of time at safety. Over the last two seasons, Lankster has recorded 40 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Now, he’ll move on in search of his next opportunity, though it wouldn’t be a shock to see him join the Jets’ practice squad given how the last month has unfolded.