Injuries are always a part of an NFL season. No team knows that reality more than the New York Jets.
Having seen their 2023 season squandered due to multiple injuries to their star quarterback and offensive line, the Jets have taken precautions to be better prepared for the start of the 2023 season.
So far, it’s been great news on that front for head coach Robert Saleh and the team’s overall outlook.
Jets, Robert Saleh Offers Injury Update
Early Tuesday morning, Saleh offered plenty of positive outlooks on the injury status of many key players heading into mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp.
More importantly, all seem to be on the right track for the start of the 2024 NFL season.
Breece Hall
New York’s top running back, Breece Hall, has been off to the side in the rehab station for an undisclosed injury suffered a few weeks ago. Saleh stated that if it were a game day, the Jets would have their star on the field without any issue.
“There’s just no point,” Saleh reasoned.
New York’s head coach, of course, is correct. The wear and tear of a running back has been greatly tested in recent years, so keeping Hall off the practice field in meaningless workouts like minicamp is the smartest thing the Jets could do to this point.
Otherwise, Hall, who finished second at the position last season in yards from scrimmage, appears a full-go for training camp.
Mike Williams
Of all the names on the list, Mike Williams is arguably the one player more likely to miss time than the others.
The former Chargers wide receiver suffered a torn ACL and could be ready for the start of the 2024 season. Saleh told reporters Tuesday that the Clemson product was going to be on the same schedule Hall was actually on last season.
MORE: 5 Takeaways From New York Jets Minicamp
That year, Hall, recovering from a torn ACL himself, worked sparingly in training camp, but ramped up the work to be ready for the start of the season.
If Williams follows that path as Saleh said, the big-bodied target should be ready to go without limitations to start the season.
Morgan Moses
New York used a fourth-round pick swap to bring right tackle Morgan Moses back to the team. Unfortunately, the trade was made knowing Moses wasn’t exactly healthy.
The 33-year-old tackle has been recovering from a torn pec suffered early in the season last year that he played through with the Baltimore Ravens. While that injury can linger, Moses showed he can play at a high level when at 100%.
Luckily for the Jets, Moses expects to be 100% at the start of training camp, according to Saleh. The 10-year NFL veteran was seen Tuesday working out in the rehab area without any limitations, meaning he will be ready to go once the real preparation begins.
Alijah Vera-Tucker
Like Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker remains on track to be ready for the start of training camp.
New York’s prized guard suffered a torn Achilles early last season and has struggled with injuries since being one of the Jets’ two first-round picks in 2021.
The fact that AVT is expected to be back for camp is a significant development for Gang Green.
New York did not have its full collection of projected starting offensive linemen healthy enough to work together until the final week before the regular season last year. This year, the Jets should have their full collection ready to go right away.
That’s a major difference that will pay off in a big way.
Tyron Smith
When it comes to injury-prone players, it’s the former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro tackle the Jets should be most worried about.
Tyron Smith has not played a full season since 2015 and has started just 30 games over the last four seasons.
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The good news for Smith is that the knee, back, and ankle problems that kept him off the field for four games last season do not appear to be a problem right now. The Jets have had Smith participate in team drills and side technique work.
So far, Smith has looked the part of a future Hall-of-Famer.
Israel Abanikanda
Israel Abanikanda did not enter Tuesday’s practice with an injury, but he seemed to be the lone player who suffered one.
The second-year running back out of Pittsburgh appeared to hurt his shoulder on a running play and promptly left practice with trainers. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but the former fifth-round pick was already in danger of being on the roster bubble before this injury, which certainly won’t help his case.
