The New York Jets’ turbulent start to the season took another hit in Week 6 when one of their few bright spots, Garrett Wilson, went down with a knee injury in London. As the team prepares for its upcoming clash with the Carolina Panthers, uncertainty lingers over whether their top playmaker will take the field.
How Will the Jets Survive Without Their Star Receiver?
Wilson’s injury occurred late in the Jets’ 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos, a game that highlighted New York’s ongoing offensive struggles. The wideout landed awkwardly on an incomplete pass, forcing him to leave the field before the final play. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilson sustained a hyperextended knee that is expected to sideline him for a few weeks, though the injury is not believed to be season-ending.
As reported by ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Wilson’s MRI on Monday showed that his knee injury was not severe, though he is still expected to miss some time recovering. While this development relieved the organization, it also confirmed that the Jets’ passing attack will face a major test without its most consistent target.
Head coach Aaron Glenn declined to confirm whether Wilson would be available for the Week 7 matchup, saying only, “We’ll see how he progresses.” Cimini later added, “Glenn won’t rule out Garrett Wilson (knee) for the game, only for today in practice,” suggesting that the Jets might keep their decision close to the vest.
Even before Wilson’s injury, New York’s wide receiver depth chart lacked star power. With Wilson sidelined, Josh Reynolds, Arian Smith, Allen Lazard, and Tyler Johnson make up the remaining options. None has approached Wilson’s production this season. Through six games, Wilson has recorded 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns, while Reynolds, the next closest receiver, has managed only eight catches for 72 yards.
This situation presents a daunting challenge for offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who must design a passing attack that can function without its centerpiece. The Jets’ offense already hit a franchise low in Week 6, finishing with minus-10 net passing yards after quarterback Justin Fields was sacked nine times. Without Wilson, who has accounted for most of the team’s receiving success, the offense risks further regression.
The Jets (0-6) have two more games, against the Panthers and the Bengals, before their Week 9 bye. That timeline aligns with reports from Schefter that Wilson could return afterward, potentially for the November 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
While the news of Wilson’s hyperextension is not catastrophic, it underscores how heavily the Jets rely on him. For now, the spotlight shifts to the rest of the receiver group, a unit that must prove capable of keeping the offense afloat while its leader recovers.