David Bailey is doubtful to play against the Raiders on Sunday because of a groin injury, and let me tell you, that is a massive blow for New York’s defense. The guy is their sacks leader, a bona fide bright spot in an early season that needs some shine. Head Coach Aaron Glenn basically confirmed it, saying Bailey wouldn’t practice Friday, his third straight day out, and it’s looking like a game-time call at best. He wasn’t even out there for warmups. If he can’t go, New York is losing a serious weapon.
A Top Pick Down, a Defense Stretched Thin
This isn’t just any rookie sitting out, folks. We’re talking about the No. 2 overall pick from April. Bailey has been an absolute force, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher as the only players since 2000 to rack up at least 5 1/2 sacks and 35 tackles in their first seven NFL games. That’s elite company, and it shows you the kind of impact he’s had. Losing that kind of production, especially when the Jets are trying to stop a two-game skid against a Raiders team that’s dropped four in a row, is brutal. But wait, it gets worse. This defense is already without two other starters: defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, who’s got a knee issue, and edge rusher Joseph Ossai, nursing an ankle problem. Glenn ruled both of them out too. Sweat, their top run-stuffing force, went down in that 28-25 loss to Miami last Sunday. You feel that loss, especially when the Jets rank 24th against the run, giving up 127.7 yards per game. Yeah, that’s not going to cut it.
“Losing any key player of that magnitude… it’s always a huge deal for us,” Glenn said, acknowledging the impact. But he’s also trying to rally the troops: “But the thing is, we’ve got guys behind him that are going to to come in and do a good job for us.” So, who steps up? Preseason standout Nate Lynn is likely to see way more snaps in the pass-rushing rotation, along with Kingsley Enagbare and Will McDonald. Glenn’s putting the pressure on Lynn: “He’s going to have to play more and he’s going to play well, he will.” For Sweat’s absence, rookie Darrell Jackson Jr., a fourth-round pick, and veteran Jack Heflin are set to get increased playing time. Ossai’s been battling that ankle for two games now, and both he and Sweat are on a weekly evaluation plan.
Bullet Points and Battlefield Talk
Now, here’s where it gets spicy. Las Vegas running back Ashton Jeanty, who’s averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this season for the Raiders’ 31st-ranked ground game, decided to poke the bear this week. He was critical of New York’s defense, saying it has “a couple guys out there that don’t really want to tackle.” Bold words for a guy whose team is struggling to run the ball. Jeanty thinks the Raiders can get their rushing offense going this weekend, of course.
The Jets? They’re shrugging it off. Coach Glenn’s reaction was pretty blunt: “Well, we’ve got to play on Sunday. So, that’s the reaction.” Linebacker Demario Davis called it “bulletin board material” pure and simple, focusing on what happens on the field. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick echoed that, saying he gets zero added motivation from it. “Listen, this is the NFL and I get that everybody’s motivated by certain things,” Glenn said. “But I mean, your true motivation is each week you get a chance to play. I think that’s about it. But words are always said between the players and that’s just what it is. So our guys will be ready to play.” They better be ready to play, because they’re facing a motivated, struggling opponent while trying to stop their own skid, and doing it without three key defensive starters. Sunday against the Raiders is going to be a gut check, plain and simple.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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