FLORHAM PARK, NJ—Another week brings another long list of injuries for the New York Jets, as well as another plan to improve a current area of weakness.
In his Wednesday media availability, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich updated the team on injuries ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ulbrich said the players not practicing would be offensive tackle Tyron Smith, offensive guard Jake Hanson, wideout Davante Adams, linebacker C.J. Mosley, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, and defensive back Brandin Echols.
In terms of limited players, Ulbrich named Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses, Chazz Surratt, Michael Carter II, and D.J. Reed. Aaron Rodgers and Chuck Clark were full participants, however.
Ulbrich added that Adams is dealing with an illness and some wrist soreness, whereas the team is “still gathering information” on Tyron Smith’s situation.
Rookie Olu Fashanu would most likely fill in for Smith, as he did last Sunday in Arizona. When asked about the Penn State product, Ulbrich said he thought the rookie played “pretty well.”
“He had his rookie moments, and he will have some bumps in the road here and there,” Ulbrich said. “But I thought he showed a ton of promise.
“Thank God we got him. We knew we would potentially need him this year. The way he has filled in has been amazing for a rookie, and the more he gets to play, the better he will be.”
Additionally, Ulbrich said, “The guy that gives us the best chance to win” will start at left tackle for the remainder of the season.
Regarding locker room morale, Ulbrich said that the season has been “extremely hard on everyone” but praises the Jets as a team.
“I’m so fortunate for the group that we have,” Ulbrich said. “In my opinion, the DNA and character of the group that we have are unique and different. They have stayed together and have continued to work their butts off. I am very fortunate in that way.”
Ulbrich also added that he wants to be a constant source of positivity and “a light while the darkness” is hitting the team as a whole.
Asked about Sauce Gardner, Ulbrich spoke about the entire team needing to improve in the accountability area.
“Everybody in this building needs to play at a higher level, coach at a higher level, and have more accountability,” Ulbrich told reporters. “We all need to improve in that way. Sauce recognizes the fact that he has a very high standard for himself.
“He needs to and wants to play better. He is working his butt off to get that accomplished … he is a part of all of us in the building that needs to do a better job.”
Perhaps the most positive news on Wednesday involves the team’s practice process. New York practiced in full pads to start the week, which isn’t a regular situation in-season.
“Today, we are going to be in pads for individuals,” Ulbrich told the media. “Tomorrow, we will be in pads for the whole practice. We are going to drill it. If there are 15 minutes of individuals, we will do fourteen and a half minutes of tackling.”
Going back to full pads is all about tackling fundamentals.
“We are going to get back to the fundamentals and basics,” Ulbrich admitted. “I did a tackling presentation for the team today, so everyone knows how we will get it fixed.”
Quite honestly, nothing in this presser matters. The Jets have talked all season about fixing things, doing tackling drills, being more accountable, and so on.
Next to none of it has actually translated to results.
If the New York Jets actually tackle better and show more accountability against the Indianapolis Colts, maybe fans should start to believe them. If not, Wednesday’s words will be more empty-calorie quotes that will not impact a lousy football team having a very bad season.
