The New York Jets will be missing some key players on offense in their upcoming game against the Chicago Bears.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has officially ruled out running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, tight end Mason Taylor, and left guard Dylan Parham. Linebacker Kiko Mauigoa was also designated as out for Sunday.
None are real surprises, although Mitchell and Taylor will have missed two games now with finger and thumb injuries whose severity has not been established.
Without those two weapons, the Jets turned to tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Jeremy Ruckert, who joined with Jelani Woods to rack up 160-plus yards. Sadiq won the NFL Rookie of the Week award for topping the 100-yard mark on seven catches in his coming out party, while Ruckert scored a touchdown.
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson also had a strong game with 10 catches and a touchdown against Detroit in Week 3. Wilson is a marked man by most defenses, and likely won’t be allowed to run wild by the Chicago secondary.
Limited but expected to play Sunday are running back/return specialist Kene Nwangwu (back) and edge Kingsley Enagbare (knee), although both may see just spot duty.
The good news for the Jets is that veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick practiced fully Thursday and said he expects to play after being missing since six plays into the opener before going down with a groin injury.
Fitzpatrick was brought in to provide a seasoned presence for a young secondary, and his availability may be the catalyst that allows the Jets to finally break their NFL record 20-game interception gap.
Chicago has the No. 3 offense in the NFC, but has starting quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined with a hamstring strain. Quarterback Case Keenum had a spectacular game on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, helping the Bears hammer the Eagles, 27-7.
Jets starting left guard Parham suffered a knee injury against Detroit, but the fact that the Jets have not placed him on injured reserve seems to indicate that he has a shot at returning at some point.
To help fortify the line while Parham heals, New York has signed 6-foot-6, 350-pound man mountain Kohl Levao from the practice squad to the active roster. He has experience at guard and center but has not appeared in a regular-season NFL game. Levao will be the backup to Parham’s left guard replacement, veteran Jordan Meredith.
The Jets will be playing their first game since 2018 at Chicago’s Soldier FIeld. The two teams last met in late November 2022, with the Jets beating Chicago 31-10 at MetLife Stadium.
