Jets Rough Season Gets Worse After Garrett Wilson’s Injury

Jets Rough Season Gets Worse After Garrett Wilson’s Injury

As of now, the New York Jets streak of missing the postseason will enter its 15th season. Their last winning season came in 2015, when they ended the year 10-6, narrowly missing a wildcard spot. When he took the job, Aaron Glenn knew becoming head coach and turning the Jets around wouldn’t happen overnight. But it’s been a woeful beginning to his head coaching career, sitting at 0-6 in mid-October. Except for this week’s game, the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and giving up 27 points to the Miami Dolphins , the defense has allowed over 30 points per game. The return of star edge rusher Jermaine Johnson will thankfully be felt. But the offense has been more questionable.

Garrett Wilson could miss time, but his knee injury won’t end his season

During the Jets loss to the Broncos, the team witnessed a bigger loss than just the game. In the fourth quarter, star wide receiver Garrett Wilson was walking gingerly after a misplaced throw from Justin Fields to the sideline on third down. While he walked under his own strength, fans held their breath knowing how important Wilson is to the offense. Through six weeks, the New York Jets have a league-worst 865 passing yards between Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor. Of those 865 yards, Garrett Wilson was responsible for 395 of those yards on 36 catches. That’s nearly 46.6% of their whole passing game. To truly illustrate his value to the Jets, there are no other wide receivers on the team with over 100 yards. The second-highest wide receiver on the team, nine-year veteran Josh Reynolds, has only 72 yards on eight catches.

In his latest press conference, Glenn confirmed Wilson was undergoing an MRI today to examine the damage. Thankfully, he believes the major ligaments in Wilson’s knee are intact, so his season will likely not be in jeopardy. However, after hyperextending his knee, Wilson is still expected to miss time. New York has two weeks left before their bye week after Halloween.

The Jets return to New Jersey to face a 3-3 Carolina Panthers team coming off back-to-back wins, then go on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals. With Wilson out, expect Engstrand to emphasize further rookie tight end Mason Taylor and star running back Breece Hall more in the passing game. It’s make-or-break time for the remainder of the wide receiver room while Wilson is out. As of now, Tyler Johnson and veteran Allen Lazard should be the immediate beneficiaries among the position group after Reynolds for Wilson’s targets while Garrett is out.

Potential Opening for Treylon Burks?

Potentially, the team could look to add a free agent during Wilson’s absence. One option could be taking a flyer on former first-round pick wide receiver Treylon Burks. The former Tennessee Titan would reunite with current Jets quarterbacks coach Charles London, who was also in the same position (as well as passing game coordinator) in Tennessee last year. With the limited production from the rest of the wide receiver room, adding someone with Burks’ skillset could be worth a try.