Texans v. Jets: Who’s Dinged Up, Who Can Step Up?

Last week, Sam Darnold led the Jets in his first career 4th quarter comeback against the Bills, to break the Jets six game losing streak. It was also Sam Darnold’s first game back, and he energized the team, breathing life into a very stagnant offense. His scrambling throw to find Robby Anderson in the end zone to tie the game showed Jets fans what he excelled at when with USC. Hopefully, there will be much more of that to come. There is is still a lot of work to do in the offseason, but it looks like the Jets may have finally found the most important piece that has eluded them for half a century.

Jeremiah Attaochu is still in concussion protocol and will not play Saturday. He has flashed at times lining up as a defensive end in blitzing situations, but he has only played limited snaps and only has 2 sacks on the season. With the Jets having no real edge rushing presence and only one player with over 5 sacks on the season (Jordan Jenkins with 6, next highest is Brandon Copeland with 4), not having Attaochu does hurt the Jets ability to get after the QB.

Isaiah Crowell has been placed on IR. 2nd year player Elijah McGuire since coming back from a broken foot has played well, and had his best game of the season last week with Crowell out, rushing for 60 yards and the game winning touchdown on 4th and goal. Since Crowell ran for a Jet record 219 yards in week 5, he hasn’t broken 100 yards since. This is a good opportunity for McGuire as he will be the featured back and hopefully continues to impress. Trenton Cannon would be the backup, but he is questionable with a toe injury. De’angelo Henderson has been promoted from the practice squad.

Quincy Enunwa has re-injured his ankle and hasn’t practiced all week so he is out as well. Robby Anderson was the star receiver of last weeks game though, catching the game tying touchdown on Sam Darnold’s crazy dash throw. Anderson has been full go all week, so he will be Darnold’s main target with Jermaine Kearse and Chris Herndon.

Both Jordan Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson didn’t practice Tuesday or Wednesday, but were limited Thursday, so both are questionable. Johnson has a foot injury and Jenkins is shoulder/ankle. Jenkins leads the Jets in sacks this season with 6, so if he doesn’t play that will be a massive blow to the defensive front. Brandon Copeland is second on the team with 4 sacks, and undrafted rookie Frankie Luvu has really come on in the last few weeks, so both will get increased time if Jenkins doesn’t play. If Johnson doesn’t play, Darryl Roberts will fill in for him again like he did earlier in the season when he played very well. If Roberts plays corner, Terrance Brooks or Rontez Miles will play free safety.

Kevin Pierre-Louis played extended snaps for the first time last week, and he had a great game, totaling 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, and a great pass breakup in the end zone. He was limited all week so he should play, and it will be good to see if he can keep up his production from last week. If he doesn’t play, Neville Hewitt will play more in his stead.

Harrison Glaser

Harrison is a MASSIVE, lifelong, and die hard Jets fan. When he was 7, his father took him to his first live game and told him the Jets won because of him, and he believed him. Since then, he has followed all things Jets with a passion. He has never missed a game, and follows football and the Jets year round. Harrison is a Social Studies teacher on Long Island.

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