Lost in the New York Jets’ difficult start to the season has been the extent of the team’s injuries. Jermaine Johnson’s torn Achilles in Week 2 was just the beginning of a parade of players in and out of the lineup.
Chuck Clark, Allen Lazard, Leki Fotu, Wes Schweitzer, and Xavier Newman are all on injured reserve (Fotu for the second time this season). Other players’ absences have been extended even without an IR designation.
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On Wednesday, four of the Jets’ starting offensive linemen did not practice. The only starter available was center Joe Tippmann.
Head coach Jeff Ulbrich provided some insight about the injuries. Although Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses both did not practice on Wednesday, Ulbrich said the pair will be ready to go against the Cardinals. Smith had his usual veteran rest day. Moses revealed that he is dealing with an MCL tear, meniscus damage, and a small fracture in his knee, but he has been powering through it.
However, the Jets’ interior offensive line situation is a lot murkier. Alijah Vera-Tucker has been managing a high-ankle sprain and missed the last two games, while John Simpson sustained a groin injury against the Texans. Backup guard Jake Hanson also went down with a hamstring injury against Houston and did not practice, either.
Ulbrich stated that Simpson was feeling better than he expected today and has a shot to play against Arizona. He was less optimistic about Vera-Tucker and did not specify anything about Hanson.
Ulbrich was asked about Schweitzer, who was projected to be the Jets’ primary backup interior offensive lineman but has been on injured reserve since before the season started with a hand injury. He said the Jets’ training staff is working on a cast for Schweitzer but the lineman has yet to return to practice.
On the defense, linebacker C.J. Mosley did not practice once more. Ulbrich said that while Mosley had some more range of motion in his neck, the Jets will not put him out there until he’s fully comfortable. He indicated the Jets hope to get him back “in the next couple of weeks,” which places Mosley’s availability for the Cardinals game in doubt.
Elsewhere on the Jets’ defense, nickel corner Michael Carter II did not practice due to his lingering back injury. Neither did defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, who left the Texans game with a knee injury but later returned. Safety Ashtyn Davis was limited at practice with a concussion, while linebacker Chazz Surratt was limited with a heel issue.
On the plus side, starting safety Tony Adams, who has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, practiced fully on Wednesday.
The Jets will need high-level performances from their healthy players and decent play from their backups to withstand the multitude of injuries they face.
