The New York Jets' backfield makeover is complete. We think.
In a mild surprise, Khiry Robinson -- projected as the No. 3 running back -- was waived on Sunday with the injury designation. It came three days after he made his preseason debut, earning praise from coach Todd Bowles.
Robinson carried the ball 13 times and caught three passes against the Philadelphia Eagles, seemingly unscathed in his first game action since fracturing a leg last November for the New Orleans Saints. But tests the following day revealed an injury, a source said.
So the Jets' running-back depth chart looks like this:
It's a different look for the Jets, whose starters from 2015 -- Chris Ivory and Tommy Bohanon -- are gone.
Pope, an undrafted rookie cut by the Seattle Seahawks, was one of four players acquired on waivers Sunday by the Jets. To make room, they waived Robinson, running back Dominique Williams, cornerback Dexter McDougle (third-round pick, 2014) and safety Ronald Martin.
McDougle was a member of the Idzik 12, former general manager John Idzik's 12-man draft class. Two years later, only three players remain from that group -- safety Calvin Pryor, guard Dakota Dozier and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
The Jets took a small gamble on Robinson, signing him to a modest contract (one year, $1.175 million) even thought he still was injured. It included an $80,000 signing bonus. They saw him as an under-valued free agent, a 220-pound thumper who could add a physical presence to the ground game. He missed the first three preseason games, but seemed to make a positive impression last Thursday night even though he rushed for only 25 yards (1.8 average).
"He was quick," Bowles said. "It was good to see him get some touches, get banged around a little bit. He was fresh, so we wanted to get a good look at him and we got a good look at him."
Without Robinson, the Jets lack a classic big back. At 5-foot-8, 205 pounds, Pope is known for his elusiveness, not his power. He rushed for 162 yards in the preseason, seventh in the NFL.
There still could be some roster tinkering over the next couple of days, but here's a breakdown of the current 53:
Quarterbacks: 4
Running backs: 3
Fullback: 1
Wide receivers: 6
Tight ends: 4
Offensive line: 9
Defensive line: 6
Linebacker: 9
Secondary: 8
Specialists: 3