The New York Jets signed free-agent running back Musa Smith on Tuesday.
Smith played the last five seasons for Baltimore, where he set career highs last season with 264 yards rushing and 27 receptions for 192 yards while playing in all 16 games for the first time in his career. A former third-round pick out of Georgia in 2003, Smith has rushed for 496 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 27 passes for 363 yards in a five-year career shortened by injuries.
Smith is the Jets' third addition in the backfield of the offseason behind starter Thomas Jones. The Jets signed three-time Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson on March 6, and signed running back Jesse Chatman three days later. Jones and reserve Leon Washington are the only holdovers at the position from last season.
The moves are part of the changes aimed at improving a ground game that ranked 19th in the NFL last season by averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The Jets, who also added left guard Alan Faneca and right tackle Damien Woody during free agency, ranked 19th in the NFL at 106.3 rushing yards per game last season.
Smith's career was derailed in 2004 when he suffered a compound fracture of his right tibia while being horsecollared by Dallas' Roy Williams. It took nearly two seasons for Smith to return, and the type of tackle Williams used was subsequently banned by the NFL.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
