One of the surprising statistics from Monday’s rousing overtime win over the Bills was the playing time for one of the Jets’ offseason imports.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who scored 16 touchdowns over the previous four seasons with the Chiefs, played zero offensive snaps and one on special teams in the Jets’ 22-16 victory.
Asked before Wednesday’s practice what led to that decision, coach Robert Saleh said the Jets shifted to several sets using two or three tight ends after an injured Aaron Rodgers was replaced at quarterback by Zach Wilson four plays into the game.
“Obviously with Aaron, there was a certain plan that was in place, and so when Aaron went down, we shifted gears to a different style of football,” Saleh said. “A lot of the things that Aaron wanted to do were three-receiver sets, and once he was out of the game, we went to a different type of offense.
“We pivoted, especially at halftime. Credit to the offensive staff making the adjustments we needed to make to be able to start moving the ball and get points on the board. So, that wasn’t the plan. The plan was to give him some play time. So, hopefully this week we can get him out there.”
Saleh said he expects defensive end Carl Lawson to play Sunday against the Cowboys after he was inactive for the Bills game with a back injury.
“For sure. Anticipating him being up this week,” Saleh said. “With it being a short week, the time he had off with regard to dealing with the back injury, I felt like our Friday practice was a little on the high side with the physicality and just didn’t think it’d be a good idea to practice him, play a game, short week, play another game with the amount of time he had off.
“So, this would be Week 1 for him.”
Jets safety Jordan Whitehead was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three interceptions of Josh Allen in Monday’s win over the Bills.
He already has earned a $250,000 bonus for recording at least three interceptions for the season.
Xavier Gipson, who ripped off a game-winning punt return for a touchdown in overtime, was named the AFC special teams Player of the Week.
Offensive tackles Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton and running back Breece Hall were limited in practice.
NEWS CREDIT
