EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Foley Fatukasi #94 of the New York Jets reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

The New York Jets will now be without one of their best defensive players, Foley Fatukasi, as he’s been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Robby Sabo

The New York Jets placed Foley Fatukasi on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, per the league’s transaction wire.

According to the New York Post’s Brian Costello, Fatukasi has been placed on the dreaded list courtesy of contact tracing. He’s been in close contact with somebody that has tested positive for the virus.

Fatukasi, 25, is a monster of an interior defensive lineman. Plugging up holes and stopping the run is what he routinely does on the football field.

Currently ranked eighth among all interior defensive linemen by Pro Football Focus, with a grade of 86.2, Fatukasi’s probable absence will be a tremendous loss for a team looking for its first victory. Considering it’s Thursday, there’s no shot he’ll have ample time to clear the necessary COVID-19 protocols in time for Sunday’s game.

Not one NFL player at his position ranks higher than Fatukasi when defending the run, per PFF. His 89.9 run defense grade edges the likes of Cameron Heyward and Aaron Donald.

The Jets will enter Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams without their best run-stuffing option, meaning young Quinnen Williams will be looked upon as a guy who’ll need to step it up in that regard.

Big Q is no slouch himself. He currently ranks 12th when defending the run and 19th from an overall IDL perspective (one spot ahead of former Jet Leonard Williams).

Jets X-Factor Membership

The Jets and Rams are scheduled to get things going at 4:05 p.m. ET from Los Angeles this Sunday.

Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here

Download Jet X Mobile on the App Store and Google Play.

Want More NY Jets News & Jets X-Factor Content?

Download the free Jet X Mobile App to get customizable notifications directly to your iOS (App Store) or Google/Android (Google Play) device.

Add Jets X-Factor to your Google News feed to stay up to date with the New York Jets.

Follow us on Twitter @jetsxfactor for all the latest New York Jets news, Facebook for even more, Instagram for some of the top NY Jets images, and YouTube for original Jets X-Factor videos.

Join the official Jets Discord community to connect with likeminded fans.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, developer and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor | Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (sold in 2020). SEO: XLM Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments