It’s Labor Day, but the New York Jets returned to work on the federal holiday to begin final preparations for their Week 1 clash with the Tennessee Titans and former coach Robert Saleh.
Coming off a 3-14 season, the Jets need early success to keep the “same old Jets” naysayers at bay. It’s particularly important for this opener, as losing to Saleh will make questions about Aaron Glenn’s job status a story that likely won’t go away. A win in an away game under new quarterback Geno Smith will dispel a lot of concerns.
The Jets have not issued an official Week 1 injury report as of publication. The first official and mandated report will come Wednesday.
But it’s not too early to review the players who have been dinged during the preseason and present at least a question of whether they will participate when the bell rings.
- RB Breece Hall — groin: One of the fulcrums for the offense, Hall is expected to play after sustaining a strain in mid-August. But such injuries are tricky, particularly for a running-back that has to rely on explosion and quick cuts. The Jets have downplayed the severity of it, so far.
- RB Isaiah Davis — knee: He sat out last Wednesday, but is expected to play on Sunday. A knee is a tough injury for a running back, although Davis is the third stringer in the backfield and likely wouldn’t get a heavy workload.
- CB D’Angelo Ponds — calf: The rookie has been on the sidelines for a while, but should be available Week 1. It remains to be seen how much playing time he would get, given his lack of work in the preseason.
- TE Kenyon Sadiq — hernia: He’s a real wild card, in that he missed the entire preseaso after a setback from offseason hernia surgery. He worked mostly on side fields, but did return to position drills last week.
- DE Joseph Ossai — plantar fascia: He’s listed as doubtful and week-to-week with this injury. It’s usually treated with ice and rest, but a pro football player needs explosion, so how long he’ll be out is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.
- CB Tre Brown — undisclosed: Placed on the injured reserve list without a designation to return.
- DE Tyler Baron — knee: Placed on the reserve/PUP list and must miss at least the first four games.
