The New York Jets’ Week 3 inactives are in.
Less than two hours before the team’s matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Jets revealed seven inactives for today’s game:
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick
- K Blake Grupe
- RB/KR Kene Nwangwu
- WR Adonai Mitchell
- LB Kiko Mauigoa
- TE Mason Taylor
- CB Nahshon Wright
Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to deal with a groin injury that he suffered in Week 1, which has kept him sidelined. Facing off against an explosive Lions offense that has scored over 30 points in each of their first two games this season, Fitzpatrick’s presence will be missed.
Adonai Mitchell, who dealt with a finger injury this week, will also not play. That’s another tough blow for the Jets. He led the team with 11 targets last week against the Green Bay Packers. As the Jets go against a Lions defense that has been very susceptible to big plays, his presence in the Jets’ deep game will be missed.
With no Mitchell, the Jets’ five active receivers today include Garrett Wilson, Isaiah Williams, Sterling Shepard, Jamaal Pritchett, and Malik McClain. Pritchett and McClain were both called up from the practice squad to fill holes on special teams with the absence of Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Arian Smith.
Shepard, an 11-year NFL veteran, will also make his Jets debut after being signed to the practice squad last week. Due to the team’s lack of established receivers, expect Kenyon Sadiq to be unleashed today. Mason Taylor will also miss the game due to a thumb injury.
Sadiq and the Jets’ tight ends have a very favorable matchup against the Lions’ defense today, which is without four safeties and has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this year, which is the most in the league. They have also allowed the second-most yards to the position through two games this season.
Kene Nwangwu remains out with a back injury and has yet to appear in a game this season. Kiko Mauigoa will also miss his second straight game today with a quadriceps injury.
Nahshon Wright will be inactive for the first time this season. It shouldn’t be very surprising given that he hasn’t played a snap this season. Despite his strong ball skills, he struggled mightily in coverage last season, and for the Jets, that trade-off just isn’t worth it, especially with the strong play so far from Azareye’h Thomas and Brandon Stephens.
Wright also doesn’t help his case by lacking positional versatility. Players like Jordan Clark play over him because of their versatility, whereas Wright, who is 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, is strictly a boundary cornerback.
Joseph Ossai and D’Angelo Ponds are active for the first time this season, with Ponds appearing in his first NFL game. It will be interesting to see how Aaron Glenn works them into the rotation.
Kingsley Enagbare has been excellent in Ossai’s place, while Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has played well in the slot with Ponds out. Neither newcomer is stepping into an empty position group.
With kickoff almost here, the Jets will be without several key faces, while Ossai and Ponds will join the action for the first time this year.
