TAMPA, Fla. — The Jets faced some troubling injury news.
Linebacker Quincy Williams went down with a shoulder injury towards the end of the first half, leaving the game early. On a brighter note, cornerback Sauce Gardner managed to clear a concussion test and hurried back just in time to witness the Buccaneers kicking a walk-off field goal, resulting in a narrow 29-27 defeat for the Jets.
“I’m fine,” Gardner said. “I passed the test and got back on the field.”
Williams had been making an impact, running across the field while many of his teammates struggled. He exited less than a minute before halftime after recording four tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits.
Head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t provide any updates about Williams’ condition after the game.
During his time in the injury tent, Gardner missed the excitement of the fourth quarter; it’s hard to say if his presence might have altered the game’s outcome during those critical moments.
He was still involved as Baker Mayfield completed key passes, including a 28-yarder to Emeka Egbuka and a 20-yarder to Sterling Shepherd, which led to the potential game-winning field goal.
Gardner also expressed some confusion while trying to reorient himself during the game. “When I went back in, I wasn’t even aware of where the kick stick was,” he mentioned.
It’s interesting to think about these “kick sticks.” The Jets aimed to keep the Buccaneers from reaching the 40-yard line for a 58-yard field goal attempt, as Chase McLaughlin had the leg for it, according to Jamian Sherwood.
“We simply need to improve,” Sherwood said. “You need to play with leverage and execute your responsibilities.”
This situation could remind folks of Todd Bowles’ past struggles when he was the Jets’ head coach, often needing to explain missteps that led to losses.
Looking back, with the Buccaneers leading 26-20, they planned a crucial fourth-and-one play after the two-minute warning.
Mayfield audibly signaled in hopes of drawing the Jets offside before the clock ran out. The ensuing attempt to kick a 43-yard field goal was blocked and ultimately converted into a touchdown by the Jets.
It’s debatable whether that decision on fourth down changed the flow of the game.
“When we reached fourth and one, it was the right call,” Bowles argued. “We could’ve gone up by nine, which makes it tough for them to win. I wasn’t anticipating a block there.”
Left guard John Simpson pointed fingers at Tyrod Taylor, specifically about a strip sack fumble and a throwing interception that was turned into a pick-six, thanks to Antoine Winfield Jr.’s blitz. “I take responsibility; I got pressured twice. I need to tighten up the details. Up until then, I thought we performed decently,” he remarked regarding those pivotal plays.
