New York Jets LB Jarrad Davis out until Week 6 bye, according to Robert Saleh
Per Jets X-Factor’s Robby Sabo, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh declared that linebacker Jarrad Davis (ankle) will possibly return after the team’s bye week on October 17. Such a diagnosis would keep him out of the first five games of the regular season, a stretch that features showdowns against Carolina, New England, Denver, Tennessee, and Atlanta.
Per Robert Saleh:
Jarrad Davis, ankle, candidate to return during the bye week. So, blow to the Jets already-interesting linebacker group.
Hoping AVT and Moore can get back in the mix this week. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 23, 2021
Davis joined the Jets on a one-year, $5.5 million contract in March after four years in Detroit. He was injured during the Jets’ weekend visit to Green Bay in a preseason contest that saw some of the Jets’ defensive regulars play into the second quarter. Davis limped off the field on his own strength but was escorted to the locker room on a medical cart.
The former Lion had three tackles prior to his departure. Davis’ knowledge of the 4-3 defense, in which he flourished at Detroit and the University of Florida gave him a major role in the Jets’ defense as they prepare to revert back to the base set under Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
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The loss of Davis caps off a week of carnage in the Jets’ premier defensive ranks. Fellow newcomer Carl Lawson (ruptured Achillies) was lost for the whole year when he was injured during a joint practice with the Packers. The team also lost cornerback Zane Lewis (torn patellar tendon/sprained MCL) after he likewise fell victim to a season-ending injury in the practice sessions.
Rookie Jamien Sherwood is expected to take over for Davis at linebacker. Converted from safety, Sherwood had two tackles (one for a loss) and a fumble recovery in the Jets’ 23-14 victory on Saturday. The Auburn alum was praised for his quick adjustment to the Jets’ defense during June’s minicamp proceedings.
“I’ve been around a lot of rookies as a player and a coach, and he’s unique in the way that he has absolutely picked up the fine details of this defense already,” Ulbrich said in video provided by the Jets. “His ability to command the defense, run the huddle, make the adjustments, make the checks, the calls, the whole thing.”
Sabo’s report did say that Saleh was more optimistic about two other newcomers, these on the offensive end, as he was “hoping” that Alijah Vera-Tucker (pectoral muscle) and Elijah Moore (quad) could return to the fold this week.
The Jets (2-0) conclude their preseason slate on Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, WCBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
