Jets Sign WR Dexter Jackson to Practice Squad; Release Gilbert

The New York Jets have announced a practice squad move today:

November 9, 2011 – The New York Jets have signed WR Dexter Jackson to the practice squad and released DT Jarron Gilbert from the practice squad. The announcements were made by General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Jackson (WR/5-9/182/Appalachian State/Dunwoody, GA) spent time with the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers during the 2011 season before being released.  He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round, 58^th overall, of the 2008 NFL Draft.  Jackson played in seven games for Tampa Bay in 2008, returning 20 punts for 97 yards and 14 kickoffs for 327 yards.  He was signed by the Carolina Panthers (10/12/09) after being waived by Tampa Bay (8/31/09) and spent the final 12 games of the 2009 season on the team’s practice squad.  Jackson also saw time with Carolina in 2010 training camp before being waived (8/31/10).  He played 55 career games, starting 25, for Appalachian State, where he helped the school to three consecutive NCAA Division-I Football Championship Subdivision titles.

Gilbert (DT/6-5/285/San Jose State/New Orleans, LA) was signed to the Jets practice squad (9/4/11) after being waived at the end of the preseason (9/3/11). He initially signed with the Jets practice squad last season (9/7/10), and was signed off the practice squad to the active roster twice during 2010.  Gilbert played in one game against Buffalo (1/2/11) and recorded one tackle for loss, and was inactive for five games as well as the three postseason games.  He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2009 NFL Draft, and played in four games for the Bears, contributing on defense and special teams before being waived (9/4/10).  A first-team All-American in 2008, Gilbert started 38 of his 48 career games at San Jose State and is the school’s all-time leader with 22.5 sacks.