On a busy Monday, the Jets signed linebacker Brandon Copeland, a four-year NFL veteran who missed the entire 2017 season with a torn pectoral muscle. Copeland, 26, was with the Lions in 2015 and 2016, playing in all 32 games, with one start.
An Ivy League product out of Penn, Copeland’s grandfather, Roy Hilton, played 11 seasons in the NFL and lined up for the Colts when they were stunned by the Jets in Super Bowl III.
“He played defensive end against Joe Namath and all those guys,” Copeland said. “I know he’s going to be very proud of his grandson, and now my job is to continue to make him proud.