The Jets have designated running back Elijah McGuire to return from injured reserve, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
McGuire was placed on injured reserve in September after initially being carried through to the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. NFL rules stipulate that any player who returns from IR must have been on his club’s original 53-man roster, and also mandates a minimum eight-week absence. As such, McGuire can be activated in advance of New York’s Week 9 matchup against the Dolphins.
McGuire, 24, appeared in all 16 games and made two starts after the Jets selected him in the sixth round of last year’s draft. On 88 carries, McGuire managed only 3.6 yards per carry and scored one touchdown, adding 17 receptions and another score in the passing game. Football Outsiders wasn’t a fan of McGuire’s work, ranking him third-to-last in rushing DVOA, which measures overall efficiency.
If and when McGuire is added to the Jets’ roster, he’ll join a depth chart that also includes running backs Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, and Trenton Cannon.