Irvin Charles is officially back with the New York Jets after signing his exclusive rights tender on Friday. This move was expected since the Jets had already tendered him in early March, and as an exclusive-rights free agent, Charles had no option to negotiate with other teams. The signing confirms that the Jets want to keep him in the fold despite his recent injury.
Charles’ 2024 season came to a sudden stop on December 8 when he tore the ACL in his knee while covering a punt during the Jets’ 32–26 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter and immediately took him off the field. Four days later, on December 12, the Jets placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
- Irvin Charles re-signed with the New York Jets after being out with a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 of the 2024 season.
- He played 13 games last season, mostly on special teams, where he made seven tackles and blocked a punt.
- Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich believed Charles was on track for a Pro Bowl selection before his injury.
Strong Special Teams Contributions Before the Injury
Before his injury, Charles was making a strong name for himself on special teams. He played in 13 games during the 2024 season. Out of all his snaps, 214 were on special teams and only 10 on offense. In those appearances, he made seven tackles and blocked a punt.
While he didn’t record any catches on offense and was only targeted twice in his career, his value came from his special teams’ work. He had no offensive stats but was becoming one of the most consistent and trusted players in kick and punt coverage.
One of the biggest signs of his impact came during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. On one play, Charles drew a triple-team of blockers—something rarely seen—which showed how much attention opposing teams had to give him.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich commented on how valuable Charles was to the team.
“In a very tough, challenging year in a lot of ways, an absolute bright spot for this team,” Ulbrich said. He added, “I really believe had he finished the season playing the way he was playing, he would’ve been a shoo-in for the Pro Bowl as far as the special teams player is concerned, the core player.”
Career Overview: From 2023 NFL Debut to 2024 ACL Tear
Irvin Charles made his NFL debut in 2023. In that first season, he played 43 snaps on offense and 236 on special teams. Over his two seasons, he totaled seven tackles and became one of the Jets’ most reliable special teams players.
The injury came at a difficult time in his career. Tearing an ACL is one of the most serious injuries a player can face, especially for someone whose role depends on speed and agility. As of now, it is not clear if Charles will be ready for the start of the 2025 season. The Jets have not given any official update on his recovery timeline.
To fill his spot after the injury, the Jets signed defensive back Jaylin Simpson from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. This move was announced shortly after Charles went on injured reserve.
Jets Adjust Roster While Awaiting Charles’ Return in 2025
While Charles focuses on recovery, the Jets are continuing to adjust. One piece of good news came with the likely return of star cornerback Sauce Gardner. He missed the game against the Dolphins due to a hamstring injury. However, he was listed as a full participant in the following Wednesday’s practice and said he planned to return for the next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Irvin Charles is now under contract again and has a chance to rejoin the team once he recovers. Although he has yet to contribute on offense, his role on special teams has been clear and consistent. His effort, toughness, and ability to make key plays helped the Jets stay competitive in tight field-position battles.
Now, the focus is on rehab and whether he can return to form in time for the new season. The Jets’ decision to re-sign him shows they still believe in his potential and what he brings to the team.
