NY Jets Injury Update on Key Player, Changes in Kicker Position, and Ulbrich Steps Up
Haason Reddick made his long-awaited debut for the NY Jets in their Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, recording three pressures but no tackles. Unfortunately, he sustained a neck injury during the game. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich reported on Monday that Reddick was a limited participant in practice, as the Jets did not hold an official session. Ulbrich expressed that the team isn’t overly concerned about Reddick’s availability for Week 9.
However, his condition will be closely watched as the Jets prepare for their Thursday Night Football game against the Houston Texans on Halloween. More precise updates on his injury are expected from Ulbrich soon.
Will the Jets release Greg Zuerlein?
Greg Zuerlein has struggled this season, ranking as the worst kicker in the NFL. While the Jets face broader issues beyond special teams, Zuerlein has played a part in three of their losses, including missing an extra point and a 44-yard field goal in Sunday’s game.
He has made only 5 of 11 field goals from over 30 yards, with just one successful kick beyond 40 yards this season. Despite these struggles, the Jets haven’t yet made a change.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced that the team will hold a kicking competition during Tuesday’s practice, similar to a recent approach. The Jets have not confirmed Zuerlein’s status for Thursday night’s game.
The organization may be reluctant to part ways with Zuerlein due to the $4.2 million guaranteed in his contract from the offseason. While owner Woody Johnson might be hesitant to absorb that financial hit, the team’s current situation may leave him with little choice.
Jeff Ulbrich not changing play-callers
The decision to fire Robert Saleh and replace him with Jeff Ulbrich looks worse by the week, not necessarily because Saleh didn’t deserve to be fired but because it’s clearly amplified the Jets‘ problems and made their situation worse.
Ulbrich has now been handed all of Saleh’s responsibilities on top of his responsibilities as the team’s defensive coordinator and defensive playcaller. The Jets’ defense has predictably taken a step back since Saleh’s departure.
Despite this, Ulbrich isn’t ready to relinquish play-calling duties just yet. The interim head coach told reporters on Monday that he will remain the defensive playcaller moving forward.
Part of the issue could be a lack of options. Defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel is the only member of the Jets’ defensive staff to have been a defensive coordinator at the NFL level, and even he didn’t call plays for most
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