As the Jets prepare to take on the Jags at home tomorrow, here is a list of those who will not and may not play, and an analysis of who could step up in their place.
JETS
Out: TE Neal Sterling (concussion), WR Charone Peake (hamstring)
Questionable: CB Buster Skrine (knee), S Doug Middleton (knee/finger), S Marcus Maye (ankle/foot)
Did not practice Friday: TE Neal Sterling (concussion), WR Charone Peake (hamstring)
Limited participant Friday: CB Buster Skrine (knee), S Doug Middleton (knee/finger), S Marcus Maye (ankle/foot)
Full participant Friday: OLB Josh Martin (concussion), S J.J. Wilcox (wrist), LT Kelvin Beachum (foot), C Spencer Long (shoulder/knee), WR Terrelle Pryor (ankle/groin), WR Quincy Enunwa (back), NT Steve McLendon (knee), LG James Carpenter (ankle), WR Robby Anderson (nose)
What This Means:
Neal Sterling is still in concussion protocol. He was a big factor in camp and the preseason and was really coming along, solidifying himself as a starter. He will be missed again, but like last week, expect the Jets to lean on mainly Herndon, and occasionally Tomlinson in the short and screen passing game. Jordan Leggett would be the next pass catching option behind Herndon, but he had only one target against the Browns and didn’t come down with it, so he may be a non-factor.
Charone Peake is a major loss on special teams, but otherwise he is too low on the depth chart to hurt the Jets passing game. This season so far, Quincy Enunwa is by far the top target, bringing in 1 less reception then the other three guys under him combined. After him, Terrelle Pryor has become Darnold’s second go-to guy, and then Jermaine Kearse. Robby Anderson will be a nice deep threat option when Darnold starts finding him back there.
Buster Skrine did not practice Wednesday, and was limited Thursday and Friday, so there is a chance he doesn’t play, or plays limited snaps. Sixth-round rookie Parry Nickerson will probably play in the slot. Nickerson was viewed as a draft steal in the 6th round, and is hoping to eventually take over the slot from Skrine. Nickerson was considered a ball hawk in college and was very good in coverage. In four seasons at Tulane, he had 16 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown, and 31 passes defended.
Marcus Maye and Doug Middleton were both limited this week (Maye finally returning to practice, albeit limited), which is bad news for the Jets secondary. Middleton had played well in Maye’s absence, but if both do not play it could be trouble for the Jets secondary. Jamal Adams cannot man both sides. One of them should suit up, but if both do not, expect JJ Wilcox to step in and start.
Josh Martin is finally out of concussion protocol as of Thursday and practiced fully both Thursday and Friday. He may see the field tomorrow, but they may take him slowly considering how long is concussion lingered, and how Brandon Copeland and Frankie Luvu have stepped up well in his absence. If Martin doesn’t play or plays limited, expect Copeland and Luvu to play outside linebacker opposite Jordan Jenkins, with Copeland getting the majority of reps as he has a sack on the season and as looked good so far. A very fast guy for his size, Martin is worth keeping an eye on with an improved secondary this season.