The Jets released wide receiver Jason Hill and linebacker Marcus Downtin on Tuesday and activated defensive back Donnie Fletcher from the practice squad.

Hill missed practice Monday for what was later described as a lower back injury. According to Conor Orr, the back injury occurred in warm ups prior to Sunday’s game. I can only assume at this point that Hill’s injury lead to his release (as opposed to his being not very g00d). Orr also reported on a disagreement over an injury settlement for Hill, for which Hill will vile a grievance against the team.

Dowtin, also known as “the hybrid,” has been a favorite with fans since he was signed to the team this spring. Dowtin was activated to the 53-man roster several weeks ago after injuries piled up and while he did not play a lot with the defensive unit, he did make some contributions on special teams. After he was declared inactive for the Rams game, many suspected that perhaps Dowtin was injured. However, it has since been determined it was not injury related, muddying the prospect of his being resigned to the practice squad.

Update: Per Rich Cimini, Dowtin’s release is related to a special teams meeting last week.  From Cimini: “He either missed a meeting or was kicked out of a meeting, and that was the reason he didn’t travel to St. Louis, according to a source.”

Fletcher provides the team with some depth at cornerback  in preparation for the New England game and after several injuries have further depleted depth at the position.

Hill’s release does leave the Jets pretty thin at WR and it’s even more puzzling when you also consider how poorly Stephen Hill has performed lately. However, the Jets worked out Patrick Turner today – per Brian Costello – and with these two cuts and thge roster currently at 50, the assumption is that the Jets have something up their sleeve.

I previewed the Jets-Patriots game with the guys from “The Football Juice” last night. The chat is embedded below for your convenience.

The NFL trade deadline has passed and Tim Tebow is still a Jet.

Tebow has played in just 60 of the Jets’ 545 offensive snaps, contributing only 110 total yards of offense this season and prompting many to speculate that he would be dealt to another team in need of a quarterback, like the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Meanwhile, both the Jags front office and their fans insist they are fine with their current QB situation).

But Woody, Rex, Tony and the gang had other plans, and opted to not only keep Tim on the team, but to do absolutely nothing to upgrade the team the team this week outside of releasing two players. The Jets also insist that Tim is a valuable member of the team, opposing defenses spend all kinds of important time preparing for challenges he may or may not present, and the backup quarterback could see an expanded role in the coming weeks.

Haha. Okay. Sureeee.

In other Tebow news that basically broke the internet, Tebow and “actress” Camilla Belle are apparently a couple, according to TMZ.  Neither Belle or Tebow’s reps have confirmed the story, which surfaced after the pair was spotted bowling in Jacksonville a few days ago. You can find out more about this thrilling new development here, here or here.

Who is Camilla Belle you ask? Good question. She dated Joe Jonas after he cheated on Taylor Swift with her, according to Swift. (I really just wrote that. Gah). Oh yeah, she also was in a couple of movies, like 10,000 BC and When a Stranger Calls. The more you know. Or something.

Quick Hits

• LB Marcus Dowtin has been fined $15,750 by the league for his hit on Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore. The play resulted in a roughing passer penalty last week.
• FYI : Pro Bowl voting is underway. If you feel inclined to nominate a Jet into the Pro Bowl this year – and honestly, not too many of them have earned it – than get to the voting. Might I suggest Antonio Cromartie and Nick Folk? They are certainly deserving.
• If you missed this week’s episode of “The Blue and Green Review,” recapping the Jets loss to the Dolphins and previewing the Giants-Steelers showdown on Sunday, you can watch it here.
• You can also catch the latest edition of the Flight 5 Flightcast, featuring me, Bill and Frank debating the current state of the Jets and handing out mid-season grades.