The New York Jets’ offense is almost completely healthy going into Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
However, the team will have to deal with some key losses on defense and special teams.
On Friday, the Jets released their final injury report:
- EDGE Joseph Ossai (foot): Out
- WR Tim Patrick (groin): Out
- RB Kene Nwangwu (back): doubtful
- DB D’Angelo Ponds (calf): doubtful
- RB Isaiah Davis (knee): No designation
- RB Breece Hall (groin): No designation
- TE Kenyon Sadiq (groin): No designation
The good news is that Isaiah Davis, Breece Hall, and Kenyon Sadiq will all play. The bad news is that the Jets will be without starting edge rusher Joseph Ossai and reserve receiver Tim Patrick, while rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and kick returner Kene Nwangwu will most likely sit.
Nwangwu’s projected absence is the most surprising. He was added to Friday’s report with a back issue after not being listed on Wednesday and Thursday. Now, the Jets will have to find a way to replace one of their two primary kick returners, with Isaiah Williams being the other.
It continues a long-running trend of durability issues for the former fourth-round pick, who has played only 51 games over five NFL seasons.
This could be an opportunity for the Jets to call up Jamaal Pritchett for his NFL debut. The 2025 undrafted free agent was a breakout star in his rookie training camp and preseason, but spent the entire year on the practice squad. Pritchett continued flashing in this year’s preseason and earned another practice squad spot.
The Jets can call up two players from the practice squad each week. One of those spots will go to kicker Jason Sanders this week, as Aaron Glenn stated that Sanders will kick for the team in Tennessee over Blake Grupe. Pritchett is a wise candidate for the second call-up.
New York is hoping to avoid a repeat of their season-opening kick return fiasco in 2025, when Nwangwu’s injury during the Jets’ Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers led to Xavier Gipson losing a crucial fumble later on.
On the defensive side, Ossai’s absence will likely lead to more snaps being spread across the edge trio of Kingsley Enagbare, David Bailey, and Will McDonald. Ponds’ projected absence would pave the way for Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to get the start at slot cornerback across from Titans slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.
Overall, the Jets are in great health offensively, but they have some holes to work around on defense and special teams due to the losses of Ossai, Ponds, and Nwangwu.
