Report: Jets sign former first-round pick Stephone Anthony

The New York Jets worked quickly to find a replacement for injured starting linebacker Avery Williamson.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, New York has signed former New Orleans Saints first-round pick Stephone Anthony.

The #Jets are signing LB Stephone Anthony, source said. The former first-rounder played in Miami the last couple of years with Adam Gase and was drafted to the #Saints, who had LB coach Joe Vitt.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2019

As the report notes, Anthony played for first-year Jets head coach Adam Gase in South Beach over the past two seasons.

A first-round pick of the Saints back in 2015, Anthony lasted only two seasons in New Orleans before being shipped off to the Dolphins. He started 19 games during that span.

Anthony was primarily a special teams player for Miami the past two seasons. He appeared in 24 games with zero starts.

This move comes after Williamson suffered a torn ACL in the Jets’ second preseason game last week. While Anthony is a downgrade, he’ll add some depth to that position this season.