The bad news continues to pile up for the New York Jets. After previously losing defensive end Carl Lawson for the season due to an Achilles injury, the Jets found out that linebacker Jarrad Davis is also set to miss significant time after hurting his ankle. Both players were marquee offseason signings for the franchise and were set to play an important role in head coach Robert Saleh’s defense.
Davis suffered the injury during Sunday’s 23-14 preseason win against the Green Bay Packers. After one play in the second quarter, the 26-year-old limped to the sidelines. He was later carted off to the locker room.
Davis, who was a first-round pick in 2017, joined the Jets on a one-year, $5.5 million back in March. In his first four years as a pro with Detroit Lions, he had 305 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles.
While talking to reporters on Monday, Saleh didn’t specify the nature of Davis’ injury. He did, however, said that the team expects him to miss at least two months. They are hoping for his return following the Jets’ bye week in Week 6.
Saleh also downplayed the effects of Davis and Lawson’s injuries, saying that he is convinced someone will step up while the duo is sidelined.
“I don’t think it’s hard on me as much as it’s hard on them,” Saleh said. “We’ll figure it out. Someone will step up, and we’ll keep moving.”
The issue for the Jets, however, is that they lack experience on defense, especially in the linebacker position. Aside from middle linebacker CJ Mosley, the team’s LB core comprises rookies and unproven players. This includes rookie Jamien Sherwood and 2019’s undrafted free agent Noah Dawkins, both of whom played safety while at college.
The Jets are reportedly trying to find other options on the free-agent market and have hosted several defensive ends and linebackers for workouts in the past few days.
