The New York Jets face a quick turnaround as they prepare for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots. Garrett Wilson aggravated his knee injury during Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. Will fantasy football managers have their top receiver available on short rest?
Garrett Wilson Injury Update
Wilson originally hurt his knee late in the Jets’ Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos in London. The injury forced Wilson to miss Week 7 and Week 8. The Jets had a bye in Week 9, providing extra recovery time.
Wilson was a limited participant in practice with the knee issue on Wednesday and Thursday of Week 10. On Friday, he was upgraded to full in practice and was cleared for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
Wilson played in Week 10 but did not catch a pass on three targets before aggravating the injury. He exited the contest in the third quarter after making a diving effort to secure a deep pass from quarterback Justin Fields. Wilson landed hard and limped off the field with approximately seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Wilson was spotted riding the stationary bike on the sidelines after spending five minutes in the medical tent. He tried to get himself able to go back in, but couldn’t. By the end of the quarter, he was seen on the bike conversing with several members of the Jets’ medical team. When the fourth quarter commenced, he took a seat on the bench.
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed after the game that Wilson re-injured the same knee that had cost him two games this season. “Garrett just came back down on his knee. That was the same knee that he injured before,” Glenn said.
While Glenn refrained from providing further specifics regarding the details of Wilson’s injury, it doesn’t necessarily seem like a significant aggravation based on his ability to ride the bike. However, with the Jets playing on Thursday night against the Patriots, the short turnaround presents a major obstacle.
On Monday, Rich Cimini reported that Wilson is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. That puts his return in the Week 14-15 range.
The Jets are obviously not making the playoffs. While it’s possible Wilson returns to play out the final month of the season, there’s a very real chance we don’t see him again this year.
Wilson Fantasy Outlook
Wilson’s recurring knee issue has become a significant concern for fantasy managers who drafted him as a potential WR1. The injury has now cost him multiple games and threatens to derail the rest of his season.
Before the initial injury in Week 6, Wilson had established himself as quarterback Justin Fields’ primary target in the passing game. His chemistry with Fields was developing nicely before the injury interrupted their rapport.
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In Wilson’s absence on Thursday night, Tyler Johnson, John Metchie, Isaiah Williams, and Arian Smith will handle the Jets’ receiving duties. Perhaps newly acquired Adonai Mitchell will make his debut. But none of these players are even close to fantasy relevant, making an already unimposing passing game even less threatening.
At this point, Wilson is borderline droppable. He wasn’t producing much even when on the field. Now we know he won’t play the rest of the fantasy football regular season. If you need to make the playoffs and Wilson is clogging up a roster spot, feel free to let him go.