Elijah McGuire has reportedly been cut by the New York Jets.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted out on Friday that the former University of Louisiana star running back had been cut by the team who drafted him in 2017.
Rapoport tweeted, “The #Jets have released RB Elijah McGuire, who started three games last season, source said.”
The former Ragin’ Cajuns star had 30 carries for 77 yards and zero touchdowns this preseason for the Jets. McGuire also had 13 receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown. McGuire’s 13th catches was the tied for the ninth most this preseason.
With free agent signee and former All-Pro LeVeon Bell sitting out the four-game preseason, McGuire was given a good amount of playing time as the Jets try to sort out the running back depth chart. McGuire though was competing with veteran Ty Montgomery, who was signed this offseason, to serve as Bell’s primary backup.
McGuire’s best performance so far this preseason occurred in the opener. In the 31–22 defeat to the N.Y. Giants, McGuire recorded 6 carries for 13 yards, while also hauling in 6 receptions for 38 yards including a 7-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Siemian.
The following week, a 22-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, McGuire had 5 carries for 14 yards and one reception for 10 yards. Then last Friday in a 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints, McGuire rushed for 21 yards on 5 carries and also added one reception for 5 yards.
The New York Jets wrapped up the preseason on Thursday in a 6-0 win over Philadelphia. McGuire had 14 carries for 29 yards with 5 receptions for 35 yards.
The 5-foot-10, 214-pound McGuire was entering his third season in the NFL after being drafted in the sixth round in the 2017 draft by the Jets. In his two full regular seasons, McGuire has 180 carries for 591 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, while also adding 36 receptions for 370 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
McGuire had a stellar career with the Ragin’ Cajuns as he rushed for 4,301 yards and 42 touchdowns and caught 130 passes for 1,394 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year (2014). Prior to arriving at UL, McGuire was an all-state running back at Vandebilt Catholic as he led the state as a senior with 2,603 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.