The New York Jets navigate another disappointing season as they deal with multiple injuries across their roster. Garrett Wilson aggravated his knee injury during the team’s win over the Cleveland Browns and has now been placed on injured reserve. Will fantasy football managers have their top receiver available for the stretch run?
Garrett Wilson Injury Update
Wilson initially hurt his knee late in the Jets’ Week 6 loss to Denver in London. The injury forced Wilson to sit out Week 7 and Week 8. The Jets had a bye in Week 9, offering extra recovery time.​
Wilson played in Week 10 but failed to record a reception on three targets before aggravating the injury. He departed 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 observed riding the stationary bike on the sidelines after spending five minutes in the medical tent. He attempted to get himself able to return, 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 acknowledged after the game that Wilson re-injured the same knee that had cost him two games earlier this season. “Garrett just came back down on his knee. That was the same knee that he injured before,” Glenn said.​
The Jets placed Wilson on injured reserve ahead of last Thursday’s game against the Patriots. This move guarantees he’ll sit out at least four games. The IR placement aligns with the earlier report from Rich Cimini that Wilson would miss 3-4 weeks.​
Assuming that timeline proves accurate, Wilson could return when first eligible in Week 15, the first week of the fantasy playoffs. He will sit out a minimum of three more games following Thursday’s loss to New England.
Of course, there’s also the very real possibility that the Jets shut Wilson down for the remainder of the season. After all, they are not making the playoffs. Wilson is their franchise receiver. There’s no real incentive for him to play out meaningless games in December.​
Head coach Aaron Glenn did say Friday that he expects Wilson to play again this season. “I think he’ll play,” Glenn told reporters, though he added the decision ultimately rests with the team’s doctors. It’s important to note that how Glenn feels now may not reflect how he feels in a month.
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, Tyler Johnson, John Metchie, and Adonai Mitchell will handle the Jets’ receiving duties. Adonai Mitchell made his debut Thursday night and could see an expanded role. 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 for fantasy purposes. He wasn’t producing much even when on the field. Now we know he won’t play again during 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.​
It’s encouraging for Wilson’s fantasy managers that the Jets haven’t committed to shutting their top receiver down for the season, even though the Jets are out of the playoff hunt at 2-8. However, fantasy managers stashing Wilson need to know that there’s a legitimate chance he won’t contribute again in 2025.​
The Jets may want to keep Wilson on the shelf for the rest of the season to ensure he doesn’t suffer another, more severe injury that could impact 2026. With the team already eliminated from playoff contention, there’s little reason to risk their franchise receiver in meaningless December games.​
