The New York Jets began training camp earlier than any other NFL team by holding their first practice session on July 22. Aaron Rodgers’ presence has created a palpable sense of enthusiasm around the Jets, who are now fully expected to compete for a Super Bowl in 2023.
The Jets placed several players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the outset of camp. Which injury situations will be top of mind as New York prepares for the regular season?
New York Jets Injury Update
RB Breece Hall
The Jets have remained nothing but optimistic about running back Breece Hall, who is working his way back from an October ACL tear. Earlier this week, head coach Robert Saleh echoed that same sentiment while suggesting New York will proceed with caution.
“When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Saleh said. “The one thing with these ACLs, you don’t want to go too quick. But at the same time, you don’t want to go too slow. So there’s a balancing act. Trust our trainers, trust our doctors. As of now, knock on wood, things are going really well.”
“He looks really good,” Saleh added.”… He looks strong. He’s in really good shape. Obviously, we’re going to do good by him and make sure that we slow-play it. But he’s in really good shape.”
Hall, the 36th overall pick of the 2022 draft, was on a Rookie of the Year pace before going down last fall. In seven games, he took 80 carries for 463 yards and four touchdowns while adding 19 receptions, 218 yards, and another score through the air.
If Hall isn’t ready for Week 1, the Jets would likely rely on a committee approach in the backfield. Zonovan Knight and rookie Israel Abanikanda could handle early downs, while Michael Carter takes the passing-game work.
OT Duane Brown
Duane Brown was absent at the beginning of Jets camp and was subsequently placed on the PUP list once he reported. The 37-year-old is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery as he enters his 17th NFL campaign.
Brown can be activated from the PUP list at any time, and the Jets don’t sound very concerned about his injury.
“He’s going to work through — obviously — he’s still working through the surgeries he had this offseason, but we’re not worried about his availability for the season,” Saleh said this week. “I don’t want to put an exact timeframe on it, but it’s going to be sooner rather than later.”
Brown started for 12 games for the Jets at left tackle last season and is now competing with Mekhi Becton to become Rodgers’ blindside protector. The loser of that battle would become the favorite to start at right tackle, but Brown has been relatively open about not wanting to shift to the right side to play a position where he’s never spent a single snap.
WR Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb was eager to join the Jets after they acquired Rodgers, calling the former Packer “one of the most special individuals” he’s ever been around. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Gang Green several weeks after Rodgers officially became a Jet.
Cobb is currently rehabbing from an offseason surgery that helped “clean out the back of his ankle to fix a persisting issue,” as NFL Network reported in March. He’s on the PUP list, too, but he seems probable to return soon.
Saleh said earlier this week that Cobb and tight end C.J. Uzomah would likely be activated off the PUP list within a similar timeframe. The Jets removed Uzomah from the list on Wednesday afternoon.
Depending on whether Corey Davis ultimately sticks on New York’s roster, Cobb will have a chance to become either the Jets’ WR4 or WR5 behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Mecole Hardman. Of course, his connection with Rodgers could allow him to receive more work than many currently have him projected.