In a not-so-surprising move, the New York Jets waived/injured tight end Brian Linthicum with training camp lingering in the not-so-distant future.
The announcement was made by Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, according to NewYorkJets.com.
An undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, the former Spartans tight end appeared to have a shot to make the Jets’ 53-man regular season roster as a backup/special teamer. That was until Linthicum fell victim to a quadriceps injury during the early portions of the Jets’ offseason workouts.
Linthicum, a 6’5’’, 245-pound tight end, was one of the 10 undrafted free agents that the Jets picked up after the conclusion of the 2012 NFL Draft. A big part of the reason that he went undrafted in the first place was his history of knee injuries, which consistently hindered his ability to produce for the Spartans.
Before spending three seasons at Michigan State, Linthicum spent his freshman year as part of the Clemson football team before transferring and sitting out the 2008 campaign.
Throughout his college career, Linthicum amassed 80 receptions for 936 yards and six touchdowns. His best output came during his senior season, when he hauled in 31 passes for 364 yards. It took him all of the way until his final college game to break the 100 receiving yards mark.
Although the quadriceps injury spelled the end of his time with the Jets, it’s likely that Linthicum will get another opportunity elsewhere once he is back to full health. He provides promise as a receiving tight end who has the size and frame to develop into a solid blocker.
With Linthicum now headed for the waiver wire, the Jets are left with a total of 87 players on their 90-man training camp roster. That will leave them with some wiggle room as the preseason continues to creep closer.
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