One of the brightest lights of the Jets' miserable season went dark in the final two games.
Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu has been placed on injured reserve with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, ending a promising season, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. That's what it means.
“It's disappointing,” Ulbrich said. “He's having a great rookie season. But at the same time, injuries like this, sometimes you feel like you've been thrown into the fire, and it gives you an opportunity to take a step back and start absorbing information. will use it as an opportunity to grow, I know that.”
Fashanu, 22, was drafted by the Jets with the 11th overall pick in the first round out of Penn State in November and is having a great rookie season since taking over the starting role after veteran Tyron Smith suffered a neck injury. .
Max Mitchell replaced Fashanu, who was injured in last Sunday's home game against the Rams, but Ulbrich said “It's going to be a scramble this week'' between Mitchell and Carter Warren as to who will start against the Bills. he said.
Fashanu played in 15 games this season, starting seven at left tackle.
After starting the season in a utility role, he replaced Smith on November 10 against the Cardinals. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 12 pressures and one sack on 230 pass-blocking snaps.
Ulbrich raved about Fashanu after the Rams game: It's amazing to see a rookie come in and play as well as he has. I don't see it very often.
“People like to say this too often, but he's a 10-year guy. He's got it all. He's got the mentality [and] Add physical tools to emotional makeup. I'm excited about his future. ”
In other injury news, Coach Ulbrich commented on the status of QB Aaron Rodgers (knee), DT Quinnen Williams (hamstring), and CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) during Sunday's game against Buffalo, saying, “It's too early,” he said.
“We expect all of them (to play),” Ulbrich said.
The Jets held a walk-through practice on Tuesday.
When asked how Rodgers' game situation is going in Buffalo, Ulbrich replied: He'll do whatever it takes to be on the field on Sunday, and I expect him to try to do the same this week. ”
The Jets' kicking situation is up in the air. Is it familiar?
The Jets signed Greg Joseph to the practice squad after Anders Karlsson missed an extra point and a field goal in a 19-9 loss to the Rams.
Joseph is the fourth kicker the Jets have hired this season after Greg Zuerlein was placed on IR after suffering a left knee injury.
Riley Patterson, Spencer Schrader, and Carlson were then substitutes. If Joseph takes a kick on Sunday, he will be the fifth kicker the team has used this season.
“We're going to let them compete as the week goes on and see how they go and put our best players out there,” Ulbrich said.
He said removing Zuerlein from IR is “definitely part of the conversation.”
Asked if the tour line was healthy enough to kick again, Ulbrich said: “We'll see how he's doing. If he's fit and fit for it… I'm going to open the window for practice.”
