Jets activate K Sam Ficken from IR, promote 3 others

Updated Dec. 19, 2020 5:57 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets activated kicker Sam Ficken from injured reserve and he is expected to play Sunday at Los Angeles against the Rams.

Ficken missed the last three games with a groin injury, an ailment that also sidelined him three other weeks earlier this season. He is 9 for 10 on field goals this season and 8 of 10 on extra points.

The Jets (0-13) also elevated defensive lineman Tanzel Smart and linebacker Sharif Finch from the practice squad Saturday, and promoted linebacker Noah Dawkins as a COVID-19 roster replacement.

Ficken, in his second season with the Jets, first injured his groin during practice in October and sat out three games while Sergio Castillo filled in. Ficken returned to play against the Chargers on Nov. 22, but missed two of his four extra-point tries. He was placed on IR and Castillo again filled in, but struggled and was cut this week before being re-signed to the practice squad.

New York also claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin off waivers from Jacksonville, but Ficken is expected to handle the kicking duties Sunday.

Smart will help provide depth on the Jets' defensive line after nose tackle Folorunso Fatukasi was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. Smart had two tackles against New England on Nov. 9 in his only game this season.

Dawkins and Finch will help replace Jordan Jenkins, who was placed on IR with a shoulder injury. Dawkins has played in two games this season, while Finch will be making his Jets debut.

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