After placing cornerback Dee Milliner and offensive guard Brian Winters on the season-ending injured reserve, the New York Jets have made a pair of roster moves. 

The team announced on Monday that it had signed journeyman cornerback Josh Thomas and claimed rookie offensive lineman Wesley Johnson off the waiver wire.

Originally a fifth round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2011, Thomas was waived before every appearing in a game for Dallas.


He was claimed by the Carolina Panthers shortly after being cut by the Cowboys and appeared in four games in 2012. During those four games, Thomas was second on the team with seven passes defensed.

In 2013, Thomas started six games and was inactive for three. The Panthers waived Thomas in August as part of their final roster cuts in order to get down to their 53-man roster. On Sept. 8, Thomas was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived earlier this week after appearing in three games. In parts of four seasons, Thomas has recorded 64 tackles, 10 passes defensed and intercepted one pass.

Johnson, who stands 6-5 and weighs 297 pounds, was selected in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vanderbilt product was placed on the waiver wire earlier this week. After playing tackle throughout his college career, Johnson was used as a center this preseason.

In four games, Johnson showed promise. According to Pro Football Focus, the 23 year old graded out positively in three.

When Johnson entered the NFL Draft, NFL.com's scouts spoke highly of his versatility.

Quick out of his stance. Natural bender with athletic, coordinated movement. Light on his feet and can work his hips. Keeps his hands inside and can pop and recoil. Shuffles, slides and mirrors. Gets to the second level with ease and can wheel around the edge as a puller. Durable, versatile 51-game starter -- has experience playing all across the line. Highly respected, passionate, no-nonsense vocal leader.

While Johnson will add depth, Oday Aboushi, a fifth-round pick last year, is expected to take Winters's place as a starter. He and Winters had split reps back in training camp before Winters won the starting job.

"It’s tough," right guard Willie Colon said. "It’s personally tough for me because me and Brian trained together this summer [in Arizona]. He’s like my little brother.”

Meanwhile, losing Milliner for the season is a huge blow to an already thin Jets secondary. Not to mention, it's another major setback for Milliner, who’s two seasons with the Jets have been marred by various injuries.

“We’re already light at corner, it really tough,” Jets safety/cornerback Antonio Allen said. “It’s tough on Dee, I told him my heart goes out for him and to stick with it and come back faster and healthier.”