BREAKING: Garrett Wilson Injury Update Sends Shockwaves Through New York — “It Could’ve Been So Much Worse,” Says Jets Star
The New York Jets feared the worst with Garrett Wilson’s injury at the end of the Week 6 Denver Broncos game.
In the post-game, Wilson said, “Just pray that everything comes back good.” It appears that it has.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media that Wilson “underwent an MRI today and appears to have avoided a serious knee injury, per source, but it probably still means some down time. Worth noting that the #Jets have two more games (CAR, at CIN) before their bye. Perhaps that factors into the timetable.”
Looking Ahead at Jets Schedule
In Week 7, the Jets host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 19. In Week 8, they travel to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 26.
The week after that is the bye for the Jets.
If Wilson’s recovery could be affected by the upcoming schedule, then the earliest he could return is in Week 10 after the bye against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 9.
That would essentially give Wilson a month off between his last football game and his next one to recover from this knee injury.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared that Wilson is expected to miss “a couple of weeks.”
Danger, Will Robinson!
This is great news for Wilson that he avoided serious injury. If the former Ohio State product misses any time, it’ll be the first time that has occurred in his three-plus-year NFL career.
“Good news on Wilson, but any missed time is a humungous blow to offense. Certainly would make games against Carolina, Cincy more challenging,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY responded.
A Big Void in the Jets Offense Moving Forward
Wilson is the straw that stirs the drink on the Jets‘ offense.
He has accounted for 38% of the receiving yardage production through the first six weeks of the season. Wilson has a 34% target share in the Jets‘ offense. If he is forced to miss time, the options behind him are underwhelming.
Only two other players on offense beyond Wilson have more than 100+ receiving yards: rookie tight end Mason Taylor (177) and running back Breece Hall (150).
Wilson’s Absence Harkens Back to a Dark Age of Jets Football
In 2018, the Jets trotted out the most random group of underwhelming pass catchers the world has ever seen.
In the middle of a game during that season, the broadcast crew threw up a graphic to highlight the Jets‘ pass catchers in the game: Jermaine Kearse, Andre Roberts, Rishard Matthews, Deontay Burnett, and Charone Peake, h/t Badlands.
The 2025 group might rival that infamous 2018 unit with names like Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds, and Tyler Johnson.
Jets Might Be Forced to Dip Back Into the Practice Squad for Receiver Help
The green and white have four wide receivers on the 17-man practice squad: Quentin Skinner, Brandon Smith, Jamaal Pritchett, and Isaiah Williams.
Ahead of the Week 6 Broncos game, the Jets elevated Williams and Smith. On Monday, October 13, they reverted to the practice squad.
If Wilson misses time as expected, the Jets might have to dip back into those waters for answers at pass catcher.
With the team at 0-6, it wouldn’t hurt to evaluate the young players on the roster to see what they have.
“Not Jake!” Falcons Suffer DEVASTATING Blow as Star LT Jake Matthews Goes Down vs. Bills — ‘This One Hurts the Most’
Practically everything went right in the first half for the Atlanta Falcons against the Bills. They nearly took a 21-point lead into the halftime locker room and the defense has kept Josh Allen in check, but that didn't come without a major setback.
Late in the second quarter, Jake Matthews suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Michael Jerrell—and he was just ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Dirty Birds just lost the anchor to their offensive line, and couldn't have received a more costly injury update.
With Matthews sidelined, it means that both of the Falcons' tackles are not their planned starters. But Dwayne Ledford has been a master with the unit up front, so let's hope he adjusts accordingly to help Atlanta retain their lead.
Jake Matthews won't return to the game for the Falcons
The Dirty Birds have been quick to use a lot of pre-snap motion in hopes of fooling this stout Bills defense, but Zac Robinson will (rightfully) have less trust in the unit up front without his Pro Bowl left tackle.
Matthews was drafted by Atlanta in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and has remained a key starter since. According to Pro Football Focus, his 80.7 pass block grade ranks 10th among 112 qualified tackles
The Texas A&M product has emerged as one of the NFL's best tackles in large part due to his reliability, as hasn't missed a start since his rookie season. Now, the 33-year-old's absence could loom large and potentially jeopardize the Falcons' season if he misses extended time.
Luckily, Michael Penix Jr. is a left-handed quarterback, so Atlanta didn't lose its blind side protector. The Falcons' offensive line has seen enough turnover, losing starting right tackle Kaleb McGary for the year during training camp and usual swing tackle Storm Norton has yet to make his season debut.
The offensive line is the reason the Falcons are so strong in the run game, so fans should be sweating right now.
Without Matthews, Bills DC Bobby Babich can bring pressure that Penix and the Falcons is more vulnerable against without Matthews. Both Bijan Robinson and Drake London shined in the opening half, but a Falcons team already struggling on the injury front just lost another key player—and this one is the team's most important non-skill position player.
