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They all have player availability issues, especially these days.
This week the Jets have a very tough injury situation, especially at receiver with Corey Davis going on IR, and Elijah Moore not practicing all week with a quad injury. Now, in news that broke today, Jeff Smith was put on the COVID-19 list.
But the Saints situation is just as precarious at receiver with Michael Thomas on IR and the suspension of WR Deonte Harris for a DWI over the summer. And one of their three remaining receivers, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, pulled a hamstring on Thursday in practice and is iffy for the game. So they were forced to bring back Kenny Stills, who they cut the other day for a bad drop against the Dallas Cowboys in the Saints’ last game.
They also put three players on the COVID-19 list this week – WR/RB Ty Montgomery, defensive end Cam Jordan and running back Mark Ingram.
Coaching is a very stressful profession (like I’m sure many of you have, stressful professions) but I’m telling you, the last two years, with the COVID-19 situation, and the constant revolving door on the roster related to it and football injuries, these coaches are have aged in dog years the last two years.
Because there always were a lot of guys on the injury report week-to-week in the NFL, but now you throw in guys who don’t have injuries, but can’t play due to COVID-19, and it’s added to the roster gymnastics coaches have to deal with on game day.
I think one of the reasons there are so many blowout games this year, is due to some weeks certain teams being so depleted due to the combination of injuries and COVID-19, they have a hard time competing.
The Saints are getting back one of the NFL’s best players, RB Alvin Kamara, and their talented left tackle Turron Armstead, to open holes for him, so that should have an impact on the game.
The Jets have issues stopping the run, and Kamara might be the best running back in the game, or at least, the best combination running back and receiver. The Jets also have had major issues covering running backs out of the backfield, so don’t be surprised if Kamara finishes the game with double-digit catches.
But getting back to the Jets’ receiver situation, even with the guys who are scratched, they should be okay with the underrated Keelan Cole coming back from the COVID-19 list to go along with Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios (who Zach Wilson has great chemistry with) and Denzel Mims. Expect them to call up either Vyncint Smith or D.J, Montgomery from their practice squad for the game. Both players should be ready to contribute after spending the entire season on the practice squad getting comfortable in the system.
Also, expect the Jets to throw a lot to their underrated tight end (Ryan Griffin) and running backs – Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perrine and Austin Walter, who are all good pass-catchers. Running backs Michael Carter (knee) and Tevin Coleman (concussion) are out.
Yes, the Jets have a lot of issues on the medical front, but so do the Saints.
So do all the teams.
Next man up.
December 10, 2021
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