PITTSBURGH — The Jets' second-tier was stretched to its limits Sunday night.
They entered the game with three fewer starting pitchers in the secondary, but lost another starter and reserve during the game.
Cornerback DJ Reed missed the game with a groin injury.
The Jets listed him as questionable for this game. Reid suffered a groin injury last Monday against the Bills. Michael Carter II was ruled out Friday due to a back injury.
Safety Chuck Clark suffered a high ankle sprain against the Bills and was placed on injured reserve.
During the game, the Jets lost safety Tony Adams to a hamstring injury and backup safety Ashtyn Davis to a concussion.
This left Sauce Gardner as the only Jets starting defensive back remaining in the game. In the second half, Kendall Sheffield, who was promoted to the Jets' practice squad, made a meaningful play.
Brandin Echols started in Reed's place. Isaiah Oliver started at nickel corner in place of Carter, but had to be moved to safety due to injuries to Adams and Davis.
Jalen Mills was also elevated from the practice squad and replaced Clark as a surprise starter at safety.
Adams left the game at halftime, and Davis then left the game in the third quarter for concussion testing and did not return.
The Jets also lost two offensive linemen during the game. Starting right guard Ariya Berra-Tucker left in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. His replacement, Xavier Newman, suffered a gruesome injury in the third quarter.
After Aaron Rodgers' interception, he was blocked by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen and slammed to the ground. He was carried off the field on a backboard.
Ulbrich said Newman went to a local hospital, tested negative and will be able to return home with the Jets.
“I am grateful that my test result was negative,” Ulbrich said. “He's heading home with the team. That's a big relief.”
There was speculation that WR Mike Williams would be traded after the team acquired Davante Adams.
There is speculation in NFL circles that Williams will eventually be traded to the Steelers, but the Jets had no intention of trading him before Sunday's game.
Williams made one big catch on fourth down in the game.
Other inactive players besides Reed and Carter were OT Carter Warren, OT Max Mitchell, RB Israel Abanikananda, DE Brayden McGregor, and WR Malachi Coley.
