C.J.

Uzomah

The Eagles released the veteran tight end in late August. He’ll slot in as an occasional blocker behind Dallas Goedert. Uzomah had eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

Uzomah managed 29 receptions over 21 games with the Jets over the past two years, following eight seasons with the Bengals. The Eagles had signed the journeyman on a one-year deal in April, and had apparently seen enough in training camp. Philadelphia’s tight end depth chart now includes Dallas Goedert, fantasy folk legend Albert Okwuegbunam, and Grant Calcaterra.

Uzomah posted a line of 8-58-1 for the Jets in 12 games last season, becoming a forgotten man in an offense that was desperate for offensive threats outside of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall to emerge. He’ll now join the Eagles, presumably as added depth behind Dallas Goedert and Albert Okwuegbunam, who signed a one-year contract extension with them this offseason. Uzomah is a long way from being a fantasy contributor in 2024.

The Jets would save about $5 million against the salary cap with Uzomah’s release. Uzomah was a complete disaster for New York in 2023, managing eight receptions, 58 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games. At best, Uzomah, 31, will catch on with another team as a situational player.

Uzomah is due to make just over $11 million in 2024. The veteran tight end caught just eight passes for 58 yards and one touchdown in 12 games last season, and the Jets can save $5.3 million by parting ways with him. They’d still absorb a $5.9 million dead cap hit, but it’s a small price to pay to part ways with the nine-year vet who ranked third amongst Jets tight ends in snaps last season. Uzomah has flashed as a pass-catcher at times but is little more than a backup at this stage of his career. Fresh off of turning 31 years old, he should have no trouble latching on as a depth option for another team if cut.

Uzomah went down early in the first quarter. He stayed on the field clutching his knee after the play and was eventually carted to the locker room. His day appears to be over. Rookie tight end Jeremy Ruckert could see more snaps in his absence.

Jets fans have clamored for months to get Ruckert on the field more in the struggling New York offense. An increase in Ruckert’s snaps would likely come at the expense of C.J. Uzomah, who seems to make weekly back-breaking mistakes as a pass catcher and a blocker. Ruckert, who has caught five of six targets for 43 yards this season, will probably be the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Conklin.

“He had a great training camp and clearly already has some chemistry with [Aaron] Rodgers,” Rosenblatt said. “As it stands right now, Conklin might be second or third in the pecking order for Rodgers — behind Garrett Wilson, maybe Lazard — and should get a healthy number of targets, especially in the red zone.” Conklin in 2022 had 58 receptions, 552 yards and three touchdowns for the Jets. If he gets the primary route-running tight end job for New York, the veteran could have some deep league PPR appeal. C.J. Uzomah is widely expected to be a blocking tight end this season.

Uzomah was sidelined the first few days in camp with a nagging leg injury but is now back practicing with the camp. The veteran tight end will be battling with Tyler Conklin for snaps this season, with Conklin having the inside edge on the job. Uzomah is off the fantasy radar as long as he’s backing up Conklin and would be little more than a streaming option if he were to start games.

The Jets will move Uzomah slowly back from an OTA injury. Uzomah restructured before going down this offseason, clearing $3.6 million cap space in a disaster contract for the Jets. Uzomah’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out of Week 1.