The Jets' secondary is the biggest concern.
A day after placing safety Chuck Clark on injured reserve, keeping him out for at least four games, the Jets were without cornerbacks DJ Reed (groin) and Michael Carter II (back) during a walkthrough Wednesday. was.
Reed will start on the outside and Carter will start in the slot.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich (who calls for defensive play) said he's not optimistic about Reid and Carter's chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers, saying 60 percent of the starting secondary will be gone. said.
Those spots will go to safety Ashtyn Davis, outside cornerback Brandin Echols and slot cornerback Isaiah Oliver, along with All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner and safety Tony Adams. Very likely.
“We're fortunate to have depth at that position,” Ulbrich said. “So it might give you some anxiety, but it’s also exciting from the standpoint of giving other guys a chance.
“We're very fortunate to have Isaiah Oliver this year. He's a Swiss Army knife over there. He's been able to play safety, nickel and corner without blinking, so he's doing a good job.”
The real problem begins if the Jets suffer another injury and have to dig deeper.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson could make his first start of the season. Wilson missed the first five games of the season due to injury and was a backup to Justin Fields last week.
Wilson joined the first-team offensive line in practice Wednesday, according to reports from Pittsburgh.
The Jets worked out three kickers Wednesday: Riley Patterson, Cade York and Matt Coughlin. Patterson has made 59 of 67 career field goals and has the most experience.
The timing is interesting considering Greg Zuerlein is shooting a career-low 66.7 percent from the field, including two misses in Monday's 23-20 loss.
Zerlein was mostly unsigned last season, but the Jets insist he's not plagued by injuries.
Rookie receiver Malachi Coley declined to comment on giving up No. 17 to Davante Adams. Corey, who wore No. 11 at Western Kentucky University, now wears No. 14.
“We had several conversations and we worked through it,” Adams said.
QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle) and WR Mike Williams (personal reasons) also did not practice.
Rodgers is scheduled to practice Thursday.
TE Tyler Conklin (limited), EDGE Will McDonald (shoulder), RT Morgan Moses (knee), LT Tyron Smith (rest), and LB Chaz Surratt (heel) are limited.
A heavier workload should be placed on LB CJ Mosley, who played in nine games after returning from a three-game absence last week.
“I think last week was a great week to warm up.” [game]he's missed a lot of time, so we'll have him reintegrate,” Ulbrich said. “And the healthier he gets, the more he'll play for us.”
