Jets Sign Former Bears, Falcons RB Antone Smith, Place Pierce On IR
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets took another shot at improving their running back depth Tuesday by signing veteran Antone Smith.
The team also announced it has placed running back Bernard Pierce on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Smith, 30, played in five games with the Chicago Bears last season, but only had one carry for 11 yards.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back spent the prior five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where, despite seeing limited action, he earned a reputation as a big-play threat.
In 2013, Smith only had five carries, but two went for 50- and 38-yard touchdowns. In 2014, he had 23 rushes for 144 yards and 13 receptions for 222 yards. He scored two rushing touchdowns and three receiving TDs -- all of 41 yards or longer.
On 30 career carries, Smith has averaged 9.9 yards.
Health has already been a concern for the Jets' running backs this preseason. Projected starter Matt Forte injured his hamstring early in training camp and missed more than two weeks of practice and is still limited. Khiry Robinson, who broke his leg last season as a member of the Saints, began training camp on the active/PUP list before being cleared to practice last week. He is expected to serve as the Jets' No. 3 running back behind Forte and Bilal Powell.
The Jets signed Pierce, who had been dealing with a hamstring issue throughout camp, on July 27 after the team waived Zac Stacy, who failed his pre-camp physical after breaking his ankle in November.