The New York Jets will likely be missing at least one defensive starter this week.
Head coach Aaron Glenn revealed that starting nickelback Michael Carter II is in the NFL’s concussion protocol days before the team is set to host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.
“There is a good chance that he will be out. Knowing how the game was on a Monday, alright, so there is a good chance he will be out,” Coach Glenn explained.
Carter got banged up during the Week 4 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
With such a short turnaround to the next game and the extensive process of the five-step return to play protocol, it is more difficult than ever to return quickly from a concussion.
Injury Might Be a Blessing in Disguise
You never want to lose starters because, normally, the backup players are worse. However, in this particular case, the Jets might be relieved to hear that Carter won’t be available for this week.
Candidly, he has struggled on the field for a season and a half. He has battled through injuries, and his play on the field has clearly been impacted.
Last season, Carter was ranked outside the top 182 corners in football in overall grade (50.7) and in coverage grade (47.9), per Pro Football Focus. This season, his grades in both categories are somehow worse: overall (46.5) and coverage (44.5), per PFF.
That would be bad news under any circumstance, but it’s especially bad because the Jets made the former Duke product the highest-paid slot defender in the league last year. They simply aren’t getting a proper return on their investment.
It can’t hurt to have Carter ride the bench, hopefully get healthy, and perhaps bounce back at a later date this season.
Carter’s Future With the Team Is Very Much in Question
ESPN radio host Jake Asman joined me on “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital” and explained why Carter could be on his last legs with the organization.
“I think it will depend on how he looks the rest of the way. I think if he continues to struggle, I can easily see him being a cap casualty this offseason. This regime didn’t draft him, they didn’t develop him, and they didn’t pay him,” Asman explained to me. “I could see it, Boy Green. I don’t think they do it in season; they need depth there. You hope Carter can come back, and I don’t think it’s going to be a season-ending concussion, right? I think he could be out for a game and then returns, and you have some more depth there.”
“It’s a shame because I don’t think he forgot how to play football; I just think the injuries he suffered have affected his ability to play at a high level. I think his body has maybe not recovered properly from these injuries, and it has affected him,” Asman added.
Jets Have a Backup Plan Nearly at the Ready
Week 5 could be the debut of new cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr in a Jets uniform.
The team struck a trade with the Tennessee Titans for their starting corner ahead of Week 4. He wasn’t available due to an ankle injury, but Coach Glenn provided an encouraging update on Wednesday, October 1.
“Brownlee will be practicing this week, and there is a chance he can play the nickel and the outside corner for us. He will be competing for one of those jobs,” Glenn explained.
If Carter is ruled out, as expected, Brownlee could make his Jets debut as a starter in the slot.
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