Jets elevate emergency QB for NFL International battle vs. Vikings

The New York Jets announced two roster moves and one injury status update on the eve of their International Series affair against the Minnesota Vikings.

While downgrading defensive tackle Leki Fotu from doubtful to out for the October 6 neutral site contest, the Jets elevated two Practice Squad players onto the gameday roster. In addition to linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, New York designated third quarterback Adrian Martinez as a P-Squad elevation for the first time.

The Martinez call-up is interesting in the sense that the Jets must feel a need to have an emergency third quarterback on standby. Aaron Rodgers was banged up with a knee issue earlier in the week, but returned to practice in full capacity and does not carry an injury status into Sunday’s game. Veteran Tyrod Taylor is New York’s QB2, and he saw mop-up duty in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

For the first time this season, the Jets will presumably have three quarterbacks available. Unless he is listed as active on Sunday morning, Martinez would only be eligible to enter if both Rodgers and Taylor suffered in-game injuries. After capturing the UFL MVP award this past spring, Martinez joined the Jets one week into training camp.

Meanwhile, McCrary-Ball has been elevated for the third week in a row. He’s totaled 32 special teams reps and has yet to log a defensive snap.

The past two weeks, the McCrary-Ball move has coincided with the Jets making veteran linebacker CJ Mosley inactive on gameday. Mosley, who has missed the last two weeks with a toe injury, is listed as doubtful for the Week 5 outing.

McCrary-Ball, who was credited with one tackle in the September 29 setback to the Denver Broncos, is in his second season as a Jets’ Practice Squad player.

The Jets and the Vikings will kick off at 9:30 am ET from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on NFL Network.