After some choppy waters following the season-ending injury to Alijah Vera-Tucker, it appears the New York Jets have received some good news.
On Friday, September 5, the Jets released their final injury report ahead of the Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Star corner Sauce Gardner and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor started the week as limited participants in Wednesday’s practice. However, after back-to-back full participation days on Thursday and Friday, neither player has an injury designation for the season opener.
“They’re good to go,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media.
Game status for #PITvsNYJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 5, 2025
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Jets Receive Massive Sigh of Relief
The two big injury concerns for the Jets heading into the Pittsburgh game involved Gardner and Taylor.
Taylor hadn’t practiced since late July because he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. The Jets were saying the right thing publicly, but there was concern that he could be out of action.
If that had been true, the only other quarterback the Jets have on the roster behind Justin Fields is rookie Brady Cook (practice squad).
Instead, Taylor is good to go, giving the Jets a great insurance policy just in case anything happens to Fields. The former Virginia Tech product has appeared in 94 games and has made 58 starts.
Gardner became the highest-paid corner in football this offseason. He is coming off the worst year of his career and expectations are through the roof.
The former Cincinnati product first appeared on the injury report with a calf issue, and then it was listed as a fibula injury, which raised eyebrows. Now he is completely off the report.
The Jets’ greatest strength will be at full power heading into Week 1.
Jets Players in Danger of Missing the Game
Only two players are officially ruled out for the Jets in Week 1.
Vera-Tucker, who tore his triceps and will miss the entire season. Esa Pole hurt his ankle in practice, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
The Jets scooped him off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs during final roster cuts. Cimini added that he, “Probably wouldn’t have been active anyway.”
One of Gang Green’s top reserve hog mollies, Chukwuma Okorafor, didn’t practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday with a hand injury. He is officially questionable for the game on Sunday, September 7.
Cam Heyward Situation
Pittsburgh could be without one of its best players to start the season.
First-team All-Pro and team captain Cam Heyward provided some more cryptic comments to the media about his status for the game: “I’m preparing. We’ve still got some time, but we’ll see,” he said via Mike DeFabo.
Cam Heyward, who is looking for a contract adjustment, on if he’ll play Sunday: “I’m preparing. We’ve still got some time. But we’ll see.” pic.twitter.com/nIoYIpsTdv
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 5, 2025
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This isn’t an injury situation but rather a contract dispute to monitor.
For what it’s worth, the entire Steelers’ coaching staff has reiterated their belief that Heyward will suit up for the black and yellow.
If Heyward were unable to suit up, that would be a colossal loss for the Steelers.
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