A huge sigh of relief.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn shared a massive update on rookie tight end Mason Taylor.
“I think he will be back next week. I mean, obviously, when you’re talking about a neck, it’s always something you have to look in on, but he will be just fine. He will be just fine, and there is a good chance that he will be back next week,” Coach Glenn revealed on Friday, December 19.
On Wednesday, the Jets immediately ruled out Taylor for the Week 16 contest against the New Orleans Saints. He hasn’t played since getting hurt in the Week 14 Miami Dolphins game.
Sunday will be Taylor’s second straight game missed because of this neck issue.
Jets Dodge a Bullet
When you play the violent game of football, injuries are a part of the package. Players get hurt all the time, but when you are dealing with injuries involving the neck, that takes things to another serious level.
It is an absolute massive sigh of relief to not only hear that Taylor is going to make a full recovery, but that he is expected to return to the lineup next week.
Taylor was already ruled out for the Saints game. That means there are only two other games left in the regular season for the Jets.
Taylor, 21, entered the league as the No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. The former LSU product has appeared in 13 games and has made 11 starts. With those opportunities, Taylor has collected 44 receptions for 369 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Taylor Has a Chance to Chase Down Some Jets History
If the former LSU product can suit up for the final two games, he will have a legitimate shot of chasing down some team history.
Dustin Keller holds the Jets franchise record for most receptions by a rookie tight end (48; 2008). Pete Lammons holds the Jets franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (565; 1966). Lammons and Chris Herndon (2018) are tied for the most receiving touchdowns by a rookie tight end in team history (four).
To break those long-standing records, Taylor needs five more receptions, 197 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Unlikely to achieve them all, but not impossible.
Taylor hasn’t been a superstar this year for the Jets, but he has displayed plenty of promise for the future. It would help if the Jets found some sustainability at the quarterback position.
Taylor has three years remaining on his $10.46 million rookie contract. He isn’t scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent until 2029.
Mason is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. Jason is most known for his 13 years with the Miami Dolphins, but he did spend a season with the Jets in 2010.
The Jets went to their second straight AFC Championship game that season. Mason, Jason’s son, was born on May 8, 2004. He visited training camp with his dad when he was on the Jets. Mason was just six years old at the time.
Fast forward 15 years, and Mason is now playing for the Jets, and his dad, Jason, gets to watch his son practice in the NFL. Pretty cool.
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