The budding Cinderella story of Mory Bamba has hit a snag in New York.
Speaking to reporters after Monday’s training camp practice, head coach Aaron Glenn stated that the breakout cornerback “had a knee [injury]… I think he’ll be out a couple weeks but he’ll be fine also.”
It appears that Bamba’s injury is not serious, but based on the timeline provided by Glenn, his 2026 preseason might be over, which would be a crushing blow for the undrafted rookie.
The BYU product was arguably the Jets’ best player in their preseason opener against the Buccaneers, racking up four pass deflections and an outstanding tackle on special teams. His performance had him on track to push for a 53-man roster spot if he could build on it over the next two preseason games.
Instead, the 25-year-old’s summer may have already come to an end.
If Bamba’s injury does not last into the regular season, he could still be a prime candidate for the practice squad. Still, Bamba’s injury comes at the worst time. He had just put himself on the NFL map, and now, he may have to wait a while for his next in-game opportunity as a professional.
In other injury news at the cornerback position, Qwan’tez Stiggers was in the rehab area during Monday’s practice after entering concussion protocol last week.
Stiggers, a reserve defender with a key special teams role, would have been the primary player threatened by Bamba’s rise. It now appears that Stiggers’ roster spot should be safe, provided he is healthy in time for the opener after being hospitalized last week, following a practice during which he passed out.
With Bamba sidelined, another unheralded Jet will have a chance to emerge as the Jets’ next breakout preseason star on Friday, when New York visits the Pittsburgh Steelers (7 p.m. EST).
