Jets’ Malachi Moore looks to keep vet Joe Flacco in check

CINCINNATI — Malachi Moore was an 11-year-old quarterback when Joe Flacco won the Super Bowl with the Ravens after the 2012 season. Now, Moore will try to intercept Flacco’s passes.

Moore, a fourth-round pick this spring, moved into the Jets’ starting lineup two weeks ago at safety. He played well and now he sees one of the quarterbacks he watched growing up.

“It’s crazy,” Moore said. “I was a minor league quarterback at the time and I was watching Joe Flacco’s highlights with the Ravens. Playing against him is kind of crazy to see how long he’s been playing.”

Moore, 24, made a nice transition to the NFL from Alabama. He helped stabilize a Jets defense that had been shaky through the first five games.

“I think things have been going smoothly,” Moore said. “I feel like the more reps I get, the more comfortable I get and the game starts to slow down for me.”

Moore will be part of the Jets’ plan to slow down Bengals star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

“They are playmakers,” Moore said. “They trust them to make plays whether they’re covered or they’re breaking loose. Those two guys are definitely a big part of their offense.”

Jets coach Aaron Glenn liked what he saw from Moore early in his career.

“Malachi Moore, he’s a guy we selected in the draft who can do a number of things,” Glenn said. “He can play safety, he can play nickel. I’ve said this before, he reminds me of a guy I had, Brian Branch, and you see those traits on the field. You see the plays he made on the deep ball that were crucial plays for us and he has the ability to do that. I’m proud of where he’s at. He’s still an up-and-coming player for us.”

The Jets activated LB Quincy Williams from injured reserve for Sunday’s game.

They placed WR Josh Reynolds (hip) and LB Cam Jones (hip) on IR, meaning they will miss at least four games.

They signed WR Brandon Smith to the active roster. They elevated QB Brady Cook and DL Payton Page from the practice squad. … G John Simpson was fined $11,593 for a face mask penalty against the Panthers.