Jets Sign Blake Freeland, Place Max Mitchell on IR
New York adds a former Colts fourth-round pick from Cincinnati's practice squad while its depth at offensive tackle shifts.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
The New York Jets signed offensive tackle Blake Freeland off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad and placed offensive lineman Max Mitchell on injured reserve. Both moves reshape the team's depth along the offensive line.
Why it matters
The transactions address depth on the offensive line as the Jets manage their roster in-season. Freeland brings NFL starting experience, while Mitchell's placement removes the primary backup to left tackle Olu Fashanu from the active roster.
Freeland, a 6-foot-7, 302-pound tackle, was the 106th overall pick in the 2023 draft by Indianapolis, and has 25 games with nine starts. Mitchell, selected 111th overall in 2022, has 51 games and 17 starts, though he has logged just two offensive snaps this season.
The players
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football franchise based in the New York City area, competing in the National Football League's AFC East division.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football franchise based in Cincinnati, Ohio, competing in the National Football League's AFC North division.
Olu Fashanu
Olu Fashanu is a Jets offensive tackle whose left-tackle role makes him the key starter behind which Max Mitchell served as primary backup.
The details
The Jets signed Freeland from the Bengals practice squad, where he had been since leaving the Colts organization. Freeland's last NFL appearance came in Week 18 of 2024. The team also placed Mitchell, a 27-year-old former fourth-round pick, on injured reserve.
Timeline
2023 draft: Indianapolis selects Blake Freeland 106th overall.
April 2022: Mitchell is evaluated ahead of his selection in the draft.
Week 18, 2024: Freeland makes his last NFL appearance.
November 3, 2026: The Jets sign Freeland and place Mitchell on injured reserve.
Roadmap
Teams routinely use the NFL practice squad system to find offensive-line depth, and the Freeland move follows that pattern. The transaction shows how clubs fill injury gaps with players already familiar to the league.
Freeland's arrival gives the Jets an experienced tackle behind Olu Fashanu, which matters for fantasy and depth-chart watchers. Mitchell's injured-reserve placement means the team's backup line options now depend on Freeland.
The takeaway
Practice-squad signings can quickly change an offensive line's depth chart, and Freeland's experience gives the Jets a usable option behind their starters. Readers following the team should watch how the backup order settles in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more on the team's moves, see Football coverage.
