After already ruling out Garrett Wilson (concussion), the New York Jets have officially ruled out three more players for their Week 9 trip to Arrowhead Stadium.
Per the team, edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle), cornerback Nahshon Wright (back), and safety VJ Payne (knee) will miss New York’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs after being listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report.
Ossai’s injury-plagued season continues. Signed to a three-year, $34.5 million deal in the offseason, Ossai will miss his sixth game due to lingering lower-body troubles that have troubled him since the summer.
Payne, a seventh-round rookie out of Kansas State, has yet to play this year due to a knee injury, which landed him on injured reserve before the season. This week, he was designated to return, which means the Jets have 21 days to activate him.
Wright was signed by the Jets to a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason. A 2025 Pro Bowler for the Bears, Wright landed in a backup outside cornerback role for the Jets after summer competitions, and since neither of New York’s starters have dealt with injuries or played their way out of their spots, Wright has yet to play a defensive snap this season.
While Wright has logged 22 special teams snaps over three appearances, the 28-year-old is frustrated with his role, and he has made it known to the team ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Jets will also be without Wilson and linebacker Trevin Wallace, who has been a core special teams piece and the team’s top backup behind Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood.
Wilson’s absence will allow the Jets to evaluate their talented young weapons in a situation without a superstar threat to demand the team’s attention. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. and rising standout Adonai Mitchell will have opportunities for big outings. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who has seen just 13 targets over the last five games, will also look to pick up some of Wilson’s slack.
On the positive side of injury news, New York will have running back Breece Hall and edge rusher David Bailey back on the field.
