The Jets have made their second running back transaction in two days, signing free agent C.J. Spiller. To make room for Spiller on the active roster, they have waived Knile Davis, acquired on waivers on Tuesday.
Spiller (5'11", 200) is now a Jet after being an occasional thorn in their side since coming into the NFL as the first-round pick, ninth overall, out of Clemson by the Bills and their then-first-year head coach Chan Gailey in the 2010 draft.
As a Bill, he had 169 yards on 14 carries in the Jets' 2012 season-opening 48-28 win, including a 56-yard scoring run, and in the season finale that season he added a 66-yard touchdown reception — from Ryan Fitzpatrick, of course — in the Bills' 28-9 win.
"C.J. is a great football player," Fitzpatrick said after the Jets' practice today. "And we've got Gilly [Marcus Gilchrist] and some other guys that played with him at Clemson. If you want to watch an incredible highlight tape, put on his college highlight tape because it's just unbelievable. He really came along with Buffalo. I think his first few years he kind of had to figure out the NFL game and how it was different and how he couldn't just outrun everybody.
"I think he's a good fit for Chan's system and we're excited to have him on board. You can't have enough good players, especially good skill players, on offense."
Spiller became an unrestricted free agent in 2015 and moved to New Orleans, where he played until the Saints released him this year.
Most recently, he joined Seattle on Sept. 28, and his first game came Oct. 2 against the Jets at MetLife. His 8-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson put the Seahawks in front, 7-3, and they never trailed in their 27-17 victory. The 'Hawks released him Oct. 26.
For his career, Spiller has played in 85 games (38 starts) with 707 rushes for 3,442 yards (4.9 yards/carry) and 12 touchdowns, plus 197 receptions for 1,477 yards (7.5 yards/catch) and nine TDs. He is 81 yards shy of 5,000 yards from scrimmage for his career. He also handled punt and kickoff returns predominantly in his first two seasons with the Bills.
Davis was acquired on waivers from Green Bay after the Packers had traded with the Chiefs for him on Oct. 18.
