Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) is tackled by New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
Having made it through the preseason relatively unscathed in terms of serious injuries, it took just a couple of weeks for Robert Saleh to have to rely heavily on the Jets backups.
The day started with Gang Green ruling out cornerback DJ Reed who had been battling a knee injury all week. After heading out to the field to go through some drills, it was decided that Reed wouldn’t suit up.
Things didn’t get any better once the game kicked off. The Jets would lose CJ Mosley for most of the day with a toe injury, have to shuttle nickel cornerback Michael Carter in and out due to a high ankle sprain, and then the worst was saved for last.
Defensive end Jermaine Johnson suffered what is believed to be a torn achilles which will mean the end of his season.
This meant a true test for the Jets depth and they passed with flying colors.
Filling in for Reed, cornerback Brandin Echols played every defensive snap and came away with the team’s only interception while allowing just 1 catch on the day. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Echols has become a key role player as a backup at both nickel and boundary corner.
Once Mosley left, it’s fair to say the Jets defense played better as a unit when Sherwood took over. Jets coaches used Sherwood and Quincy Williams both inside and outside with Sherwood finishing the game as the team’s top tackler (12 total, 8 solo, 1 for loss) and offering a significant upgrade in coverage. Mosley is the brains and captain of the defense, but it’s clear Sherwood, a former day 3 pick himself, is ready to start somewhere.
Without Echols to plug in at nickel as he was playing outside while veteran Isaiah Oliver stepped in and was solid yet unspectacular.
All in all, the Jets backups were badly needed and by and exceeded the expectations of many.