The New York Jets’ wide receiver depth chart is about to take a hit.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed that veteran Allen Lazard is “likely” going to land on injured reserve to start the season.
“He’s been out since injuring his shoulder against Green Bay in the preseason opener,” Rosenblatt explained.
Every NFL team is allowed a maximum of two short-term IR [injured reserve] designations ahead of final roster cuts. If a player receives that designation, they will be forced to miss the first four weeks of the 2025 season, but would be eligible to return in Week 5.
Jets Could Benefit From a New NFL Rule Change
This short-term IR ahead of roster cuts is a new rule.
“In the past, teams had to carry players through the cuts to 53 before placing them on IR with the ability to return,” Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor shared a quote on social media.
I didn’t even know about this rule until now, but this could be critical for the #Jets:
New last year, 2 players can be placed on short-term IR (min. 4 weeks) on cutdown day without having to make the initial 53-man roster. Jets could put Cowart & Charles on here, keep 5 DTs. pic.twitter.com/f4jNelGuOQ
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) August 21, 2025
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In other words, in the old days, Lazard would have had to make the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, August 26, by 4 pm. Then the Jets would have been able to place him on IR. That would have forced the Jets to cut a player; perhaps they wouldn’t have wanted to.
Now, instead, the Jets can place Lazard on this ahead of time and have an extra roster spot to play with.
This could allow the Jets to keep an extra receiver they like or any other position, for that matter.
Every NFL team only gets two of these, so the Jets will have to use them wisely.
Lazard Isn’t Going Anywhere Despite His Struggles
ESPN’s Rich Cimini admitted that he would be “surprised” if the team cut Lazard this week.
He predicted that he would either be placed on this short-term IR or outright make the 53-man roster.
Some of the most compelling roster-related questions as the Jets approach cutdown day (Tuesday):
• Will TE Jeremy Ruckert make the 53? Yes, I believe he will.
• WR Allen Lazard? I’d be surprised if he’s cut. I think short-term IR or 53.
• What about the young WRs? Aaron…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 24, 2025
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It has been a bumpy tenure for Lazard in the green and white. He originally joined the team by way of a four-year $44 million contract.
Lazard, 29, has appeared in 26 games and has made 22 starts for the Jets. During that stretch, Lazard has collected 60 receptions for 841 receiving yards and has scored seven touchdowns.
After an uneven first two years, Lazard was forced to take an $8.5 million pay cut this offseason to stick around.
The Danger of Moving on From Lazard Ahead of 2025
If the Jets did decide to cut Lazard ahead of the season, it could have consequences.
The Jets’ opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, is looking for wide receivers. Lazard is an old friend of Aaron Rodgers. That pairing makes a lot of sense on paper. Plus, Lazard has been around the team all offseason and could dish out some trade secrets if he joined Pittsburgh.
It would behoove the Jets to prevent that from happening by holding onto Lazard at least through Week 1.
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