Ricky

Sapp

The Jets succeeded in turning around Aaron Maybin’s career, and hope to do the same with Sapp. Once thought of as a future first-round pick at Clemson, knee woes have dogged Sapp since he entered the pros as the Eagles’ fifth-rounder in 2010. He’s transitioning from defensive end to outside ‘backer.

Sapp had been limited by a high ankle sprain this month. The oft-injured 2010 fifth-round Eagles pick is a candidate for the practice squad, along with Harrison and Dowtin. As of now, the Jets plan on keeping FB John “The Terminator” Connor despite a poor camp.

Sapp, a 2010 fifth-round pick of the Eagles, was waived by the Jets at final cuts. He now swaps spots on the active roster with S Antonio Allen, who cleared waivers and is now on the practice squad. The Jets rank 29th in the league with just 12 sacks on the season. Coach Rex Ryan says Sapp will be active for a situational pass-rushing role this week.

As previously reported, the Jets also worked out free agent TE Shawn Nelson. According to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta, the Jets are “very interested” in signing Sapp. A former second-round pick, Jackson has not appeared in an NFL game since 2008.

Sapp played in four games in 2013 after being claimed off waivers from the Jets in November. He’s a special teamer and deep reserve on defense.

Sapp has been doing the roster dance with the Jets for most of the season. He’s a candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad.

Sapp will provide linebacker depth with Darryl Sharpton (foot) and Joe Mays (knee) dealing with injuries. The Texans waived RB Ray Graham in a corresponding move to clear a spot on the active roster.

Just some post-draft housecleaning by first-year GM Scot McCloughan.

If so, it’d likely be due to concerns about Sapp’s knee, in which he tore the ACL at the end of his junior season. When healthy, Sapp is widely considered a first-round talent and ideal fit for 3-4 teams as a rush linebacker. Sapp admitted at the Combine that he played his whole senior year at 60 percent.

2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Clay Matthews had the best 10-yard split (the first 10 yards of the forty-yard dash) at last February’s Combine. Other 2010 draft-eligibles with strong split times included Jerry Hughes of TCU and Clemson’s Ricky Sapp, who tied behind Worilds at 1.59 seconds.