It's a nightmare scenario for any NFL team: your star wide receiver goes down with an injury. And that's exactly what happened to the New York Jets with Garrett Wilson. The good news? It could have been much worse. The bad news? He's still expected to miss some playing time.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, who has been covering the Jets for over three decades (and also hosts the 'Flight Deck' podcast!), Wilson underwent an MRI on Monday after hyperextending his knee during their game against the Denver Broncos in London. While the MRI thankfully revealed that the injury wasn't season-ending, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Wilson is likely to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Let's break down what happened. The injury occurred late in Sunday's agonizing 13-11 loss to the Broncos. It seems Wilson landed awkwardly after an incomplete pass on the Jets' second-to-last offensive play. Notably, he wasn't on the field for the final snap.
There's a glimmer of hope for Jets fans, though. There's speculation that Wilson might be able to return after the Jets' bye week. The Jets, currently sitting at a disappointing 0-6, have two games remaining before their bye: a Sunday matchup against the Carolina Panthers and an October 26th game against the Cincinnati Bengals. They return from their bye week on November 9th, hosting the Cleveland Browns.
The overwhelming feeling is one of relief that Wilson's injury isn't more severe, but make no mistake – this is still a significant blow to the Jets' offense. In that brutal loss to the Broncos, the Jets failed to score a single touchdown and recorded a franchise-low minus-10 net passing yards. Quarterback Justin Fields (acquired by the Jets in the offseason) struggled mightily, passing for a mere 45 yards while being sacked a staggering nine times for a loss of 55 yards. The passing game was practically nonexistent.
And this is the part most people miss... Wilson's absence highlights just how vital he is to the Jets' offensive production. He's the team's leading receiver by a wide margin, with 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns. To put that into perspective, the next-closest wide receiver, Josh Reynolds, has only eight catches for 72 yards. The difference is staggering!
Wilson's importance was underscored even further when he signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension before training camp. As a first-round pick in 2022, Wilson has been remarkably durable, having never missed an NFL game until now.
Earlier on Monday, Jets coach Aaron Glenn understandably expressed concern while awaiting the MRI results. He wisely avoided speculating on the specifics of the injury, stating simply, "It's always a concern when you lose one of your better players, I will say that." A masterclass in understatement, wouldn't you agree?
But here's where it gets controversial... Some analysts are suggesting that the Jets should be extra cautious with Wilson's return, even if he feels ready to play after the bye. Given their current record and the importance of Wilson to the team's future, is it worth risking further injury by rushing him back too soon? Or should they prioritize getting him back on the field as quickly as possible to try and salvage the season? What do you think? Should the Jets prioritize Wilson's long-term health, even if it means potentially sacrificing some games this season, or should they push for a quicker return to help them compete now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
