CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Who is Hurson?
Well, maybe that’s a stretch, but Jets defensive end Will McDonald’s sack of Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer on Saturday night offered hope that a 2023 first-round draft pick could help fill the void left by Haason Reddick if he sticks around for the rest of the season.
McDonald made the play in the second quarter of the Jets’ 15-12 win over Carolina in their second preseason game this summer.
Jets coach Robert Saleh again opted to rest all of his starters, so there wasn’t much to take away from a game that produced seven field goals.
McDonald provided the only notable play of the night.
The Panthers had a third-and-12 situation at their own 28-yard line.
McDonald used his signature spin move to beat Panthers tackle Rickie Lee.
He then picked up Plummer and threw him to the ground.
The sack was a positive for McDonald, who didn’t have much of a chance as a rookie last year.
He played just 16 percent of the defensive snaps after the Jets selected him 15th overall in the draft.
McDonald had three sacks in his limited playing time.
The Jets need McDonald to take a step forward this season after leading edge rusher Bryce Huff left the team in free agency.
Huff led the team with 10 sacks last season.
The Jets also traded for John Franklin-Myers, who had 3.5 sacks last season.
The team acquired Redick in a trade with the Eagles in the spring, but he has been away from the team except for one day of physicals and a press conference.
Redick is seeking a new contract and requested a trade earlier this week.
The Jets aren’t planning on negotiating with Redick unless he shows up to training camp.
So far, he has not succumbed despite the $50,000-a-day fine.
The trade request opens the door for him to remain with the team through the end of the season.
The Jets open their season against the 49ers on Sept. 9, so they have three weeks to figure out how to please Redick.
McDonald had a good training camp.
Coaches have praised him for getting stronger, even though he hasn’t put on much weight at 235 pounds.
In the Jets’ first preseason game against the Commanders, McDonald used a spin move to get a pass to Washington quarterback Jeff Driskel but was fouled for pass roughing.
Other than McDonald’s big play, there was nothing memorable about the game.
Far from using Aaron Rodgers, the Jets didn’t even use backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor on Saturday.
Rookie Andrew Peaslee started and played the first half before being replaced by Adrian Martinez for the second half.
The two quarterbacks are competing for the No. 3 quarterback position and possibly a spot on the practice squad.
Peaslee completed 7 of 11 passes for 33 yards and led the Jets to a 17-goal drive that ended with a field goal just before halftime to tie the game at 3-3.
Rookie running back Braylon Allen had 27 yards on eight carries and two catches for 12 yards.
Fellow rookie Isaiah Davis had four rushes for 14 yards and one catch for zero yards.
Rookie wide receiver Malachi Corey had two catches for 10 yards, including one on a one-yard fourth-down play.
The Jets made five field goals in the win, four of which came from backup kicker Austin Seibert.
The Jets conclude their preseason next Saturday against the Giants.
They’re leaving open the possibility that Rodgers could play in the game, so maybe that would be more interesting.
