The New York Jets have had their fair share of injury scares at training camp this summer. In just a few short weeks of practice, numerous players have gone down with various ailments to note. While some are back on the field, others are dropping like flies.
The club’s most notable situation is on the offensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, it’s an injury to New York’s promising second-round pick.
Rookie Standout Mason Taylor Nursing High-Ankle Sprain
According to head coach Aaron Glenn, tight end Mason Taylor has a high-ankle sprain. It’s an injury that will see him miss at least this full week of practice.
This is certainly a sad development for the Jets and their star rookie as the month of August rolls on. To this point in the offseason, Taylor was making plays left and right at camp but had missed the last two practices due to the ankle sprain. His blend of athleticism, route-running chops and natural feel for the game stood out to his coaches and teammates alike.
With New York’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers approaching, Taylor wasn’t listed as the top tight end on the unofficial depth chart. Despite that, it’s important to keep in mind that those lists are precisely that: unofficial. Considering the draft capital spent to acquire Taylor, he’s in line to start Week 1. It remains to be seen whether this injury will set that back.
Oftentimes, high-ankle sprains can linger for two or three weeks. When asked about that reality potentially making things more difficult for Taylor (a natural assumption), Glenn wasn’t so sure.
“Well you guys are the ones that said it was challenging,” Glenn said. “I never said that. He’s a damn good player. He has the pedigree of being an NFL player because of his dad. I think he’s going to be just fine. I’m not worried about that player at all.”
The Jets will rely on others for as long as Taylor misses, whether it be practice or real game time. Jeremy Ruckert has played in 41 games in three seasons with the team. Stone Smartt, an offseason pickup, is coming off the best year of his career. Neal Johnson and Zack Kuntz are also names to monitor moving forward.
Tyrod Taylor & Other Jets Training Camp Injury Updates
The Jets have more injuries on their plate than just Taylor’s. Glenn revealed updates on several other players. Defensive lineman Byron Cowart, safety Azareye’h Thomas, defensive end Will McDonald IV and quarterback Tyrod Taylor are also banged up.
“On the injury front, we had about five guys of note that I wanted to make sure I talk about,” Glenn said. “The first is Byron Cowart, he has an ankle injury. He did that in indo [individual]. AZ [Thomas], trying to break up a pass, he fell on his shoulder. Will, in indo, had back spasms, so further evaluation on that. Mason Taylor has a high-ankle, so he’ll be out this week. Tyrod actually has a knee, and we’re still evaluating him.”
More is surely coming on the injuries to those who were hurt in either individual or team work. The Taylor situation is interesting. Having recently turned 36 years old, it’s no secret that he’s a veteran in the league. Glenn made it a point to note that, also emphasizing that the Jets want him to get fully right in time for Week 1.
“Yeah, listen, we all know he’s an older player,” Glenn said. “Obviously, when you get to that point, it’s a wear-and-tear. We want to make sure we get it taken care of so he can be ready for us when the season starts. I don’t see it as a long-term, but I don’t want to just stamp that right now. But I’m sure it’s not.”
If Taylor misses any additional practice reps, there’d be a new acting backup behind starter Justin Fields. Adrian Martinez and undrafted rookie free agent Brady Cook are the two names to watch among those currently on the Jets’ roster.
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