Jets activate Mims from IR, downgrade Crowder to doubtful

Updated Oct. 24, 2020 4:18 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Jets rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims is on track to make his NFL debut Sunday against Buffalo after New York activated him from injured reserve.

The second-round pick out of Baylor had been sidelined since training camp with hamstring injuries. Mims should help a struggling Jets offense that ranks last or close to last in several categories.

The Jets also announced Saturday they activated rookie offensive lineman Cam Clark from IR, and elevated kicker/punter Sergio Castillo and linebacker Bryce Hager from the practice squad.

The Jets were hoping that with Mims activated, they would have their projected starting wide receivers on the field for the first time this season. But, New York downgraded leading receiver Jamison Crowder to doubtful with a groin injury. Crowder, who has 29 catches, 383 yards receiving and two touchdowns, was limited at practice Friday after sitting out Thursday.

Mims joins Breshad Perriman, Braxton Berrios, Vyncint Smith and Jeff Smith as healthy wide receivers on the roster.

Quarterback Sam Darnold had no change in his status for the game Sunday against Buffalo, so it appears he will start — as expected — for New York after missing two games with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.

Clark was a fourth-round pick out of Charlotte who missed some time in training camp with a shoulder injury and then hurt a knee shortly before the regular season began. He could help offset the absence of left guard Alex Lewis, who is doubtful with a shoulder injury.

Castillo was elevated from the practice squad to replace kicker Sam Ficken, who injured his right groin early in the week and was listed as doubtful. The 29-year-old Castillo, who was signed to the practice squad last week, has never kicked in a regular-season NFL game. The former West Texas A&M standout was with Atlanta in training camp in 2014 and has since kicked in the CFL and XFL.

Hager was a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2015, and played for current Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that season. He spent five years with the Rams and was in camp this summer with the Raiders. Hager, who was signed to the Jets' practice squad last month, has 48 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 69 career NFL games.

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