The NY Jets are preparing for their Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, and their defense is already feeling the effects of a challenging start to their season.
The Jets will be forced to play three games in 10 days to kick off the 2024 season, capping off their grueling start with a matchup against their bitter rivals this Thursday. Both teams are hoping to climb to 2-1 and stake their claim in a competitive AFC East.
The Jets made it through the summer without any major injuries, but that hasn't been the case through the first two weeks of the season. The team's defense has been hit hard by the injury bug, with Pro Bowl edge rusher Jermaine Johnson already done for the year with a torn Achilles.
Multiple other key starters on defense are also nursing injuries that could threaten their availability for Thursday's game. Let's take a look at the latest injury report from the Jets as of Tuesday evening.
|
Position |
Player |
Injury |
Tuesday Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
DE |
Jermaine Johnson |
Achilles |
DNP |
|
LB |
C.J. Mosley |
Toe |
DNP |
|
OT |
Tyron Smith |
Not Injury Related - Vet Rest Day |
LP |
|
CB |
Michael Carter II |
Ankle |
FP |
|
RB |
Breece Hall |
Quadricep |
FP |
|
CB |
D.J. Reed |
Knee |
FP |
The Jets only hosted a walkthrough on Tuesday given their short week, so the statuses above are merely an estimate of a full workload. Johnson obviously did not practice and will soon be placed on the injured reserve. Look for reserve defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes to take his place on the 53-man roster.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley was forced to exit this past Sunday's game in the first quarter with what the Jets are calling a toe injury. Mosley did not practice on either Monday or Tuesday, putting his availability for Week 3 in serious doubt.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Mosley is "50/50" to play against the Patriots, but it's trending toward an inactive spot for the Pro Bowl linebacker. Jamien Sherwood, who did an excellent job filling in for Mosley on Sunday, would start in his place.
Cornerbacks Michael Carter II (ankle) and D.J. Reed (knee) were both upgraded from limited participants to full participants on Tuesday, suggesting that both could be available for Week 3.
Carter is still dealing with a nagging ankle injury that he suffered in the summer. The standout nickel cornerback wasn't able to play a full workload in Week 2 and the Jets seem to believe this is an issue he will be forced to deal with all season.
As for Reed, he missed Sunday's game, propelling Brandin Echols into the starting lineup. The Jets have referred to Red's injury as "knee soreness," but he seems to be trending toward playing in Week 3.
Tyron Smith will be a regular on the injury report this season as the Jets follow a regular rest schedule with the future Hall of Fame left tackle in practice. He will be frequently given veteran rest days.
Breece Hall popped up on the injury report with a quadriceps injury this week, but he's been a full participant in practice, and his status for Thursday does not appear to be in question.
While the Jets might have their full arsenal of starting cornerbacks, it seems increasingly likely that they will be without their defensive captain at linebacker — a bit of a mixed bag as far as injury updates are concerned.
