The New York Jets continue navigating another lost season while managing injuries throughout their roster. Garrett Wilson aggravated his knee injury during the team’s win over Cleveland and has been on injured reserve ever since. Will fantasy football managers have their top receiver available for the stretch run?
Garrett Wilson Injury Update
The knee problem first surfaced late in the Jets’ Week 6 defeat to Denver in London. The injury sidelined Wilson for Week 7 and Week 8. New York had a bye in Week 9, providing additional recovery time.​
Wilson returned in Week 10 but didn’t catch any of his three targets before aggravating the knee. He left the game in the third quarter after making a diving attempt to secure a deep ball from quarterback Justin Fields. Wilson came down hard and hobbled off the field with roughly seven minutes left in the third quarter.​
Wilson was spotted on the stationary bike on the sidelines after spending five minutes in the medical tent. He tried to get himself ready to return, but couldn’t. By the end of the quarter, he sat on the bench unable to continue.​
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed after the contest that Wilson re-injured the same knee that had cost him two games earlier this season. The Jets placed Wilson on injured reserve before the team’s Week 11 game against the Patriots. This designation guaranteed he would miss at least four games.​
Wilson is now eligible to return. Given ESPN’s Rich Cimini report that Wilson was expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a right knee sprain, that aligns with a Week 15 return.​
This is probably it for Wilson’s 2025 season. Either he is able to play this week or the Jets will just shut him down. Glenn said in mid-November that he thinks Wilson will play again before the season is over, though he added the decision ultimately rests with the team’s doctors.​
So far, we have not gotten a single update on Wilson’s status since he went on IR. Without any indication of his progress over the past month, his availability remains uncertain.​
After all, the Jets are not making the playoffs. Wilson is their franchise receiver, and there’s no real incentive for him to play out meaningless December games with a knee injury that has already proven problematic.​
The Jets may prefer to keep Wilson on the shelf for the remainder of the season to ensure he doesn’t suffer another, more severe injury that could impact 2026. With the team already out of playoff contention, there’s little reason to risk their franchise receiver in meaningless December contests.​
Wilson Fantasy Outlook
Wilson’s recurring knee problem has become a significant concern for fantasy managers who drafted him as a potential WR2. The injury has now cost him six games this season and threatens to derail the rest of his fantasy value.​
In Wilson’s absence, Adonai Mitchell has assumed the WR1 role. The former Colts receiver had a breakout performance in Week 13 when he caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta.
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John Metchie has also been playing the best football of his career. He had six catches for 65 yards against Baltimore and has found ways to get open on short routes, beating defenders one-on-one and giving Taylor an easy option in the passing game.
With Taylor making this at least a functioning offense, Wilson could have WR2 upside if he can get back on the field. However, fantasy managers stashing Wilson need to know there’s a legitimate chance he won’t contribute again in 2025. At this point, Wilson is borderline droppable for fantasy purposes given the uncertainty surrounding his return and the Jets’ lack of playoff motivation.​
