With the team’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, and one more loss mathematically eliminating them for the 13th straight season, the 4-7 New York Jets have reinforcements returning to play. The largest, and most exciting, injury news came earlier this week, when head coach Robert Saleh announced that QB Aaron Rodgers (left Achilles) returned to practice on a limited basis, opening up his 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. The team now has untill December 24th to activate him, and the expectation is that he will be ready prior to that date. Will he start a game again for the Jets in 2023? Time will tell, but having him out there at practice is a morale boost at a minimum. Elsewhere offensively, OL Wes Schweitzer (calf) was activated off IR and looks to be in line to start at right guard. To make room for Schweitzer, Xavier Newman was released. Jake Hanson was once again elevated from the practice squad. After his one game benching, WR Allen Lazard is back in the lineup, hoping to build on his existing chemistry with Tim Boyle.
On the defensive side of the ball, a surprise cut was made, with S Adrian Amos mutually parting ways with the team Saturday. Ashtyn Davis appeared to have been the third safety in Big Nickel packages, so Amos was an expendable piece. Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was elevated from the practice squad for today’s game. Carl Lawson is once again a healthy scratch. Veteran special teamer Justin Hardee Sr (hamstring) was activated off IR, so Brant Boyer’s group will also get a needed boost. Here is the full list of inactive players for the Jets:
- WR Randall Cobb
- OL Billy Turner
- OL Austin Deculus
- DL Carl Lawson
- LB Zaire Barnes
- CB Bryce Hall
- QB Zach Wilson (emergency QB)
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