Jets WR Garrett Wilson to miss time with a knee sprain

Wilson is dealing with a knee sprain that will keep him out for another three to four weeks, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. He will not require surgery and will instead spend the time rehabbing in the hopes of a strong return for the last few weeks of the season. The Jets air attack that has run through Wilson this year, so the 25-year-old’s absence will be a major, if not fatal, blow to their already-struggling offense.

Despite missing two-and-a-half games, Wilson is the Jets’ leading receiver by a wide margin. He has commanded a 25% target share and produced 22.9% of the team’s receptions (59) and 25.9% of their receiving yards (395). The rest of the receiving room has combined for just 39 catches and 418 yards.

The Jets insisted that wide receiver Adonai Mitchell be part of the Sauce Gardner trade, and the former Indianapolis Colts wideout could quickly see a huge role in his new home after Wilson’s latest injury. He was inactive on Sunday, but the Jets will try to integrate him into the offense this week.

Rookie tight end Mason Taylor, the Jets’ second leading receiver with 30 receptions and 246 yards, will likely see an uptick in targets, too. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will likely lean on a rushing attack that ranks fourth in the NFL with 5.0 yards per carry and 1,276 rushing yards on the season.

The Jets recorded their first two wins of the season in the last two weeks, but their 0-7 start will make it nearly impossible for them to make the playoffs. Wilson could return in Week 14 at the earliest, based on this initial timeline, but the Jets may consider shutting him down for the season.

Even if they win their next three games without Wilson — which come against the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons — they may still want to take a cautious approach with their star wideout. They signed him to a $130M extension in July and made him untouchable at the trade deadline despite moving star players at other premium positions. He has hurt the same knee twice, raising the chance for re-injury before the end of the season, and a significant injury could have an impact on the 2026 season.