Elijah Moore is within striking distance of several New York rookie receiving records, but he’ll have to miss at least the next three games while on IR.
In the latest episode of “The New York Jets can’t have anything nice,” the team has announced that they placed Elijah Moore (quad) on injured reserve.
The required three-week departure means that the earliest Moore could return would be the Jets’ penultimate game of the regular season on Jan. 2 against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
We’ve placed WR Elijah Moore on IR and activated CB Brandin Echols.
We’ve elevated TE Dan Brown, WR Vyncint Smith, WR DJ Montgomery and DE Ronnie Blair.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2021
Moore, the Jets’ second-round pick in April’s draft proceedings, has been one of the NFL’s most productive rookies over the past six weeks, earning 459 yards on 34 receptions, five of which have gone for scores.
In that span, Moore’s 459 yards are sixth-best in the league and second amongst rookies behind Miami’s Jaylen Waddle. Moore is also tied for the league lead in touchdowns with five, including his first from Zach Wilson in the Jets’ 33-18 loss to Philadelphia last Sunday.
The Mississippi alum has tallied 43 receptions for 538 yards, each good for third amongst freshman catchers, while his aforementioned five touchdowns lead the lot.
The @nyjets rookie connection!
Zach Wilson to Elijah Moore for the TD. #TakeFlight
📺: #PHIvsNYJ on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/WNHaem7vG7— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2021
While Wilson has returned from a sprained PCL sustained in the Jets’ Oct. 24 loss in New England, his young weapons continue to be besieged by the injury bug. Top rusher Michael Carter (ankle) is likewise stationed on injured reserve, though he’s eligible to return next week against Miami.
This injury could prevent Moore from breaking the Jets’ rookie receiving records. He’s currently 23 receptions away from tying Wayne Chrebet’s mark in 1995 and 306 yards away from Keyshawn Johnson in the year after.
Though Moore will be sidelined, the Jets (3-9) will welcome back another rookie, Brandin Echols, back to fold, as the sixth-round cornerback was activated off IR.
Echols started the first nine games before he was sidelined with a thigh injury. New York (3-9) also promoted Ronnie Blair, Dan Brown, DJ Montgomery and Vyncint Smith to its active roster.
The Jets, sans Moore, will return to action on Sunday afternoon against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
