For the second time in his NFL career, New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner is set to miss a game due to a concussion.
The last time around, New York’s reserve defensive backs stepped up to lead a 20-14 upset victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 of the 2023 season.
Two years later, the Jets are confident they can survive without him once again.
Gardner suffered the head injury in the second half of Sunday’s 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Before the injury, he had not allowed a catch. Through Week 7, Gardner ranks as one of the league’s best lockdown corners this season, allowing just 10 receptions in seven games (per Pro Football Focus).
Now that Gardner could be out for New York’s Week 8 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, third-round rookie Azareye’h Thomas is set to make his first NFL start.
Going against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins isn’t the easiest of jobs to walk into.
But the Jets, and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, believe the rookie is ready.
Jets’ secondary confidence
Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Wilks asserted that both Thomas and starting corner Brandon Stephens would be ready to go should Gardner not be cleared by the concussion protocol team in time.
“Are we more talented with Sauce out there? Of course we are,” Wilks said. “But with AZ and B-Stephens and all the other guys we have in the fold, I think they’re going to be ready to accept the challenge.”
Thomas relieved Gardner in Sunday’s loss to Carolina. Playing 27 snaps, the Florida State product recorded a pass deflection but allowed a game-sealing deep completion.
Known as a man-coverage cornerback, Thomas plays a similar style to that of the Jets’ current All-Pro.
New York’s secondary has turned a corner in recent weeks. In each of the last two games, the Jets allowed 13 points and under 180 passing yards.
The Broncos and Panthers’ passing attacks are entirely different from what the Bengals offer, though—especially with a “future Hall-of-Famer” at quarterback.
Is Joe Flacco elite?
Over a decade ago, that was the question on everyone’s minds. Flacco was a former first-round pick and Super Bowl MVP for the Baltimore Ravens. He still owns almost all of Baltimore’s passing records and was the franchise’s most consistent quarterback in its short history until Lamar Jackson came along.
Since his departure following the 2018 season, though, Flacco has become a journeyman quarterback.
In Week 8, that journey takes him to Cincinnati to face one of his former teams.
Wilks has gone up against Flacco before as a defensive play-caller. Despite bouncing around from team to team in recent years, the Jets’ coordinator believes immortality awaits the former Delaware quarterback.
“You can eventually put him in Canton,” he said.
While Flacco’s NFL credentials have been debated since his very first season, he remains a quarterback to be feared. The Jets understand that, especially after the signal-caller led Cincinnati to an upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During that game, Flacco targeted Chase 23 times. The All-Pro wideout caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Without Gardner on the field, the Jets should expect another heavy dose of Chase on the road. Wilks, his rookie corner, and the entire secondary believe they are ready for the challenge.
