The injuries keep piling up for the New York Jets.
Speaking to the media ahead of Week 3, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced that two players require surgery for recent injuries.
Wide receiver Arian Smith is out for the year with a torn ACL and will go on season-ending injured reserve after having surgery. In addition, defensive tackle David Onyemata, who was placed on short-term injured reserve (minimum of four games missed), had core muscle surgery, and Glenn says he is expected to be back at some point this season.
Additionally, Glenn said that tight end Mason Taylor, who is considered week to week with a thumb injury, will “be just fine.” Taylor will not practice today, however.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will not practice, either, as he continues his recovery from a groin injury. Edge rusher David Bailey will be on the injury report with an elbow issue, but the ailment does not seem to have him at risk of not playing in Detroit.
In addition, edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot) will be limited in today’s practice, and is “very close” to playing, according to Glenn. Ossai missed the first two games of the season.
New York is in dire straits at wide receiver after a rash of injuries. With Smith out for the season and Tim Patrick on injured reserve, the Jets were down to three wide receivers on their active roster before signing undrafted rookie Malik McClain to the active roster on Tuesday. They also have veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson on the practice squad, along with Jamaal Pritchett.
Meanwhile, the defensive starting lineup is now without Fitzpatrick, Onyemata, and Ossai, pending the latter’s imminent return. Offensively, Taylor was a starter in each of the team’s first two games, although the Jets have plenty of depth at tight end and fullback.
