Big Willie Colon is coming home.

The former Steelers guard, who grew up in the Bronx and attended Hofstra, signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract Friday with the Jets, according to a source. Colon (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) is a potential starter.

The Jets were in the market for a low-cost insurance policy at guard. Last year's starters, Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson, are free agents. Moore is unlikely to return; Slauson is a possibility, as he isn't drawing much interest on the market.

The key question with Colon, who turns 30 next month, is his health. He missed the 2010 season with a torn Achilles' tendon and he missed all but one game in 2011 because of a torn triceps tendon. Nevertheless, the Steelers thought enough of him in 2011 to give him a five-year, $29 million contract. At the time, he was a right tackle. He was moved to left guard last season and, after a slow start, he hit his stride around midseason. But he started experiencing knee swelling and he ended up missing five games.

He was due to make $5.5 million this season, so the Steelers cut him this week.

This is a low-risk signing by the Jets. Sometimes they work out (see LaRon Landry) and sometimes they don't (remember Jeff Otah?). When healthy, Colon is a punishing run blocker.