A struggling Jets offense that managed just minus-10 net passing yards last week likely won’t have one of its stars for Week 7.
Wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) was listed as doubtful Friday ahead of their Sunday game against the Panthers, and though head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t rule him out, it’s an ominous sign after Wilson didn’t practice for a third consecutive day.
If Wilson doesn’t play, Gang Green’s collection of underwhelming or unproven receivers — Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, rookie Arian Smith and others — will need to fill the void.
“We’re not saying Garrett’s not playing, alright,” Glenn said before the Jets practiced, “but if Garrett doesn’t play, we have other guys that have to step up.”
Reynolds missed Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury, but he returned Thursday and Friday as a full participant and doesn’t carry an injury designation heading into the weekend.
Though it remains unclear how long Wilson will be out if he can’t play Sunday, he was on the field for a third down snap on the Jets’ final drive in London, couldn’t complete a catch and then wasn’t on the field for the fourth down — which served as their final offensive snap of the game.
Wilson has collected 36 passes for 395 and four touchdowns in his first campaign since inking a four-year, $130 million extension in July.
When asked if Glenn needs to protect Wilson from himself in a situation like this, the Jets’ first-year head coach said that applies to a lot of Gang Green’s players.
“We have a number of competitive guys,” Glenn said, “but I’ll let him and the doctors handle that for the most part.”
LB Cam Jones (hip) and CB Qwan’tez Stiggers (hip) were also listed as doubtful after not practicing for a third consecutive day. … Nickel cornerback Michael Carter II — who Glenn said is in the final stage of concussion protocol — was a full participant Friday and listed as questionable. … LB Ja’Markis Weston (groin) practiced fully for the third consecutive day and entered the weekend with a questionable designation.
With Carter nearing a return, Glenn said the Jets will have packages for both Carter and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who was acquired from the Titans in September and has impressed while filling in at nickel. Brownlee forced the Jets’ first turnover of the season Sunday, with safety Andre Cisco recovering the fumble.
“Listen, we can’t deny that Brownlee did a really good job last week,” Glenn said, “but we also can’t deny that Michael Carter’s done a good job, too. So, when you have two players like that, you just make packages for both of those guys to be on the field.”
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) is set to make his return from a two-game absence after missing the last two games, and though head coach Dave Canales said they have settled on their plan for carries Sunday, he declined to reveal it Friday.
Hubbard entered the season as Carolina’s starter and signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension last year, but backup Rico Dowdle collected 234 scrimmage yards in Week 5 and 239 scrimmage yards Sunday — with the latter setting the franchise record for most in a game.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
