The Jets have placed running backs Matt Forte (knee) and Akeem Judd (ankle) on Injured Reserve and activated RB Jahad Thomas and WR Lucky Whitehead from the practice squad. The Jets also added WR Dan Williams to the practice squad.
Forté has battled a knee injury for the majority of the season, causing him to miss three games. The 10th-year vet totaled 381 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries. He also added 37 receptions for 293 yards and one score.
Judd signed with the Jets' practice squad Oct. 24 and was activated to the active roster Dec. 12. The Ole Miss product originally joined Tennessee as a 2017 undrafted free agent and spent the preseason there before injuring his thumb. The 5'10", 225-pounder started 24 games for the Rebels and rushed for 1,251 yards and nine touchdowns with an average of 5.2 yards a carry.
Acquired off waivers from Dallas in July, Whitehead suffered a foot fracture in practice after the first preseason game and was subsequently waived/injured in September. The 5'9", 180-pound Whitehead appeared in 30 games with the Cowboys in 2015-16, averaging 25.6 yards on 33 kick returns and 6.9 yards on 44 punt returns.
Thomas originally signed with the Jets in Aug. 23. He's been on-and-off the practice squad and was most recently added on Dec. 12. An Elizabeth, NJ native, Thomas rushed for 2,599 yards and 30 touchdowns at Temple from 2013-16. He also had 69 receptions for the Owls and totaled eight receiving scores.
Williams originally signed with the Green & White on Aug. 16 and played in five offensive snaps and six special teams snaps. He was waived Sep. 2. Williams recorded 47 receptions for 599 yards and three touchdowns for Jackson State in 2016. The 6'3", 200-pounder totaled 2,497 yards and 19 touchdowns on 184 receptions in four seasons for the Tigers.
