The New York Jets are signing former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Lewis Cine to their practice squad, NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Wednesday.
Cine, who was the first draft pick by Minnesota's brain trust of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell in 2022 at No. 32 overall, was released Tuesday as teams cut down their rosters to 53 players. Cine was floated in trade rumors prior to the Vikings waiving him.
Cine suffered a gruesome compound leg fracture in Week 4 of his rookie season that necessitated a prolonged recovery.
Cine returned last season to play in seven games, featured mostly on special teams. He made one tackle on defense in Minnesota’s Week 16 loss to the Packers. Cine has played 10 defensive snaps in 10 regular-season games.
The Jets hope a fresh start will be good for Cine, who was first-team All-SEC pick at Georgia in 2021, helping the Bulldogs to a national title that season.