FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks.
Two people familiar with the trade told The Associated Press on Friday that Harvin, a star in last season’s Super Bowl but injury prone through his career, was headed to the Jets. The people spoke anonymously because the deal wasn’t officially announced by either club.
The 26-year-old Harvin has played in 60 games with only 47 career starts since being a first-round pick (22nd overall) by Minnesota in 2009. He was traded to the Seahawks in 2013, appearing in just one regular-season game because of hip surgery. But he had two rushes for 45 yards and ran back the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in Seattle’s 43-8 win over Denver in the Super Bowl.
New York gave up a conditional draft pick. The deal was first reported by Fox Sports.
Harvin has battled a thigh injury and was listed as questionable for the Seahawks’ game at St. Louis this weekend. The Seahawks have tried to find a variety of ways to use him in their offense as a runner, receiver and on special teams, but injury woes slowed their plans.
This season, Harvin has 22 receptions for 133 yards, with 12 of those catches coming behind the line of scrimmage. He has only one catch on a ball thrown more than 10 yards, according to STATS. Harvin’s average of 6 yards per catch is last among all wide receivers in the NFL averaging at least two receptions per game.
He also has 11 runs for 92 yards and a touchdown, and 12 kickoff returns for 283 yards.
New York’s offense has struggled and the Jets have lost six straight since opening with a win over Oakland. Harvin figures to team with Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley as the Jets’ main weapons in a so-far weak passing game with Geno Smith at quarterback.
As a rookie, he made the Pro Bowl and the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Harvin’s best season was 2011 with 87 receptions for 967 yards and six TDs. He also rushed for 345 yards and two scores, and averaged 32.5 yards per kickoff return.
