Minkah Fitzpatrick did not practice on Monday, and the outlook for his return to the field this Sunday against the Packers is not looking good. The Jets’ head coach, Aaron Glenn, confirmed the star safety is now considered week-to-week as he deals with a groin injury.
Fitzpatrick’s Absence: More Than Just One Game
This isn’t just a minor setback. Fitzpatrick’s groin injury pulled him out during the first half of last Sunday’s 23-10 win over the Titans. While the team grabbed the victory, losing a player of Fitzpatrick’s caliber mid-game, especially on defense, is always a gut punch. Now, with Glenn calling him “week-to-week,” it is clear this isn’t a quick fix. Though official injury designations won’t come until Friday, that “week-to-week” framing pretty much screams that we won’t see him back on the field before Week 3. That’s a huge hole to fill against any opponent, let alone in the early weeks of the regular season when teams are trying to find their rhythm.
A Growing List of Concerns
Unfortunately, Fitzpatrick isn’t the only one sidelined. Wide receiver Omar Cooper also sat out practice with an ankle injury, and his situation appears to be similar to Fitzpatrick’s with a week-to-week recovery implied. The injury report for the Jets is starting to stack up, too. Linebacker Joseph Ossai missed practice due to a foot issue, running back Kene Nwangwu was out with a back problem, and defensive lineman David Onyemata was out for rest. On the limited side, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is dealing with a calf injury and linebacker Jamien Sherwood has a knee issue. It’s not all bad news, though; cornerback Jarvis Brownlee was a full participant despite a shoulder concern, which is at least one positive. But losing key players, especially Fitzpatrick, for multiple weeks could really test the depth of this team.
This Sunday’s game against the Packers just got a whole lot tougher without Fitzpatrick marshalling the secondary. The Jets will need other players to step up big time if they want to maintain momentum in what is shaping up to be a challenging early season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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