88 Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE

Seferian-Jenkins could be used more in the Jets' passing game this season under new offensive coordinator John Morton, ESPN.com reports.

The Jets' used their tight ends mostly as blockers under former OC Chan Gailey, and with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker now gone, the wide receiver group is incredibly light. Seferian-Jenkins has reportedly looked good during OTAs, though his season will be stunted a bit due to his two-game suspension to start the year, which could give rookie tight end Jordan Leggett some early opportunities.

Seferian-Jenkins (suspension) has lost about 25 pounds from his peak weight of 285 last season, checking in at 260 for OTAs, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports.

The 2014 second-round selection was released by the Bucs in September after being charged with a DUI, and the Jets then claimed him off waivers and used him in a minor role throughout the rest of the season. Seferian-Jenkins caught 10 of 17 targets for 110 yards in seven games with his new team, also missing a few contests due to hamstring and ankle injuries, and thus failing to play double-digit games for a third time in as many NFL seasons. While he still needs to serve a two-game suspension for the DUI, it sounds as if Seferian-Jenkins has finally turned his full attention to football, undergoing what his agent referred to as a "mental and physical lifestyle change." He'll still need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason, but the Jets don't have much in the way of other talent at a position they hope to involve in the passing game for the first time since 2014. Seferian-Jenkins has a real shot at the lead role once he returns from suspension in Week 3.

Seferian-Jenkins has been suspended two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The suspension stems from a DUI arrest in September, which Seferian-Jenkins agreed to a plea deal for at the Hillsborough (Fla.) County Court in mid-February. He's fully expected to take part in the entirety of the preseason, but will then miss the first two games of the season, which means he'll have to forfeit a small portion of his $1.1 million contract. The Jets don't have a proven tight end behind Seferian-Jenkins, so they could look to the free agent market in hopes of adding some extra help at some point prior to training camp.

Seferian-Jenkins (hamstring) agreed to a plea deal Wednesday in the Hillsborough (Fla.) County Court for his DUI arrest last September, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The incident precipitated Seferian-Jenkins' release from the Buccaneers, with whom he spent the first two seasons of his career. Shortly after he was jettisoned, the TE-needy Jets claimed him off waivers, and while he led his positional group across the board, he accounted for just 10 catches (on 17 targets) for 110 yards across seven games due to a couple of injuries. Ultimately, he missed the season finale with a hamstring issue, which shouldn't hinder his ability to participate in the offseason program. Owed $1.1 million in 2017, Seferian-Jenkins could lose a portion of his salary if the league opts to punish him for a second DUI offense.

Seferian-Jenkins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's tilt with the Bills.

Seferian-Jenkins exited last Saturday's loss to the Patriots early in the contest after aggravating a hamstring injury. His season will now end with 13 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown through nine games with the Jets and Buccaneers. Look for Eric Tomlinson to be the No. 2 tight end on Sunday behind starter Brandon Bostick.