Agent: Jets sign veteran TE Ben Hartsock; team also waives P Glenn Pakulak

Agent: Jets sign veteran TE Hartsock

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets signed veteran Ben Hartsock to a one-year deal Wednesday, filling their need for a blocking tight end, his agent told The Associated Press.

Hartsock, who spent last season with Atlanta, signed with the Jets a day after the Falcons released him, agent Mike McCartney said.

The Jets, who hadn’t yet announced the signing, also waived punter Glenn Pakulak.

Hartsock, 29, played his first two seasons with Indianapolis and also played two seasons with Tennessee. He has 27 catches for 273 yards in five seasons, but the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Hartsock will be counted on to be the blocking complement to pass-receiving tight end Dustin Keller.

The Jets had been looking for someone among undrafted free agents Jack Simmons and Kevin Brock, converted defensive lineman Kareem Brown and offensive linemen Wayne Hunter and Rob Turner to seize the role as the prime blocking tight end.

It was unclear if Hartsock would play in the Jets’ preseason finale against Philadelphia at the Meadowlands on Thursday night.

Pakulak was claimed off waivers by the Jets from New Orleans last Friday as competition for Reggie Hodges, who has withstood challenges from three other punters so far this summer.