The New York Jets are adding another arm to the bullpen.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed on social media that the Jets have elevated rookie quarterback Brady Cook for the Week 8 contest versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tyrod Taylor was downgraded to out with a knee injury, and Justin Fields will start the game, the team posted in a press release.
In a flurry of other moves, the Jets placed starting wideout Josh Reynolds on injured reserve. That means he is knocked out for a minimum of four games.
Linebacker Quincy Williams was activated off IR. WR Brandon Smith was signed to the 53-man roster. Rookie DT Payton Page was elevated from the practice squad.
Let Brady Cook?
The Jets’ quarterback situation has been a turbulent ride so far this season.
Fields has started six of the seven games this season. Taylor started in Week 3 because Fields was ruled out with a concussion. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers game was the only other time that undrafted free agent Brady Cook was active this season.
Now Cook is just one injury away from stepping into an NFL regular-season game for the first time in his career. Or perhaps he is one bad half away from stepping in?
“In six starts, Fields has posted a 31.8 Total QBR, ranking 31st out of 33 qualified passers. He played one of the best games of his career against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, but his performance has regressed in recent weeks. The Jets have only seven touchdowns in the past six games, none in the first half,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini documented.
Last week, Fields performed so poorly in the first half versus the Carolina Panthers that he was benched. Head coach Aaron Glenn explained after the game that he was seeking a spark.
In a season where the Jets sit at 0-7 with no clear-cut future at quarterback, it’s getting to desperation time. There is nothing that screams desperation louder than a team potentially turning to an undrafted free agent quarterback that has never played a snap at the NFL level. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Cook better have his head on a swivel. Fields plays a dangerous style of football that invites extra wear-and-tear. Plus, with how he has performed recently, you can’t rule out a surprising plot twist featuring Cook potentially stepping onto the field in a time of need.
More Injuries Pile up for the Jets in Week 8
The Jets ruled out six players on Friday, October 24. Two more were added to that pile on Saturday, October 25.
Taylor, who was projected to start at quarterback according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, was downgraded to out with a knee injury. The Jets also downgraded starting pass catcher Josh Reynolds to out. He was battling a hip injury.
Gang Green is running out of bodies. They will be missing their top two wide receivers, their veteran quarterback, their star cornerback, their top special teams returner, and several depth pieces.
“That leaves rookie Arian Smith, Allen Lazard, and Tyler Johnson as their top receivers. They have a combined 18 receptions,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote.
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