New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson continues to nurse a knee injury.
Wilson’s very uncertain status for the Week 7 Carolina Panthers game opens the door for rookie pass catcher Arian Smith to finally pop.
Smith, 24, has appeared in all six games so far this season, including two starts. However, his statistics are underwhelming: four receptions for 24 receiving yards and no touchdowns. He also has contributed one rushing attempt on an end-around that resulted in a negative 10-yard loss.
Wilson Looks Like He Is Going to Be out in Week 7
The former Ohio State product hurt his knee at the end of the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos in London.
Wilson gave some very cryptic comments about his injury after the game. A few days later, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed that Wilson “hyperextended” the knee and would miss a couple of weeks.
However, when head coach Aaron Glenn met with the media on Wednesday, October 15, he refused to rule out Wilson for the Panthers game.
Wilson has missed the first two days of practice, which isn’t a good sign for his availability on Sunday.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media, “No surprise here — Garrett Wilson out again. Josh Reynolds returns to practice, so the Jets probably will roll with Reynolds, Arian Smith, Tyler Johnson, and Allen Lazard as their WRs vs Carolina.”
The Absence of the Jets’ WR1 Opens up Plenty of Opportunity on Offense
This season, Wilson owns a 34% target share in this Jets offense. He has accounted for over 38% of the team’s total receiving yardage production on the offensive side of the ball through the first six weeks of the season.
His sudden absence presents numerous opportunities for someone to take advantage of. I mean, Justin Fields has to throw the ball to somebody in Week 7.
Smith Deserves a Chance to Be a Straw That Stirs the Drink for the Jets on Offense
One single player is unlikely to fill that entire void left by Wilson. It’ll take a team approach to fill the gap.
However, one guy who should get more opportunities is Arian Smith.
The former Georgia product entered the league as the No. 110 overall pick in the fourth round of April’s draft.
“The Jets’ speedy fourth-round rookie has been open all year, but due to Justin Fields’ processing issues, Smith has only been targeted six times, catching four passes for 24 yards. Three of those four receptions came from Tyrod Taylor,” Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor revealed.
“In New York’s recent loss to Denver, Smith was open for numerous downfield opportunities, but Fields never took advantage. Now, with Wilson sidelined, the Jets should roll the dice on their high-ceiling rookie and hand him the keys to the passing game in Week 7,” Nania argued.
What do they have to lose?
The Jets are already 0-6. They need to heed their injured wide receiver’s advice and let it fly. Throw everything at the wall, including the kitchen sink, and play with reckless abandon.
With Fields admitting this week that he needs to play more aggressively, that can pair nicely with Smith’s elite track speed. This could potentially lead to some explosive plays for the Jets’ offense.
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