After winning the NFL‘s Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2022, Garrett Wilson received arguably the most significant quarterback upgrade of the offseason when the New York Jets acquired future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. As Wilson enters his second season, he’s dealing with an injury that will sideline him for the time being. Will Wilson play in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game?
Garrett Wilson Injury Update
Wilson is currently dealing with a low ankle sprain, as Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters this week. Low ankle sprains are considered less severe than high ankle sprains, which are typically viewed as four-to-six-week injuries.
Saleh indicated Wilson should be ready to return for New York’s Saturday practice session. Since clubs rarely play their stars early in the preseason, Wilson probably wouldn’t have suited up for the Hall of Fame Game anyway. But the latest update on his injury ensures that he won’t be on the field when the Jets face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.
Wilson, the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was durable during his first pro campaign. He appeared in all 17 games (12 starts) and played 79% of New York’s offensive snaps. Wilson briefly left a Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals after taking a shot to the chest, but that was his only injury concern last season.
Catching passes from Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White, Wilson managed 83 receptions for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. He beat out Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III for the NFL’s OROY award even though Walker received more first-place votes.
Who Will Play WR for the Jets in the HOF Game?
Wilson won’t play on Thursday night and is unlikely to be the only veteran Jet held out of the Hall of Fame Game. New York hasn’t announced which players will participate in the HOF game, but Rodgers won’t be out there, and Gang Green will likely allow many of their experienced receivers to sit.
Allen Lazard recently missed three practices with muscle tightness, while Randall Cobb just came off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and the Jets probably won’t take any chances with their health. Corey Davis is getting over an illness, and he and Mecole Hardman will probably get the night off, too.
One potential beneficiary of their absences could be undrafted free agent Jason Brownlee, who has been wowing at training camp and could get closer to sewing up a roster spot with a solid performance on Thursday. Brownlee (6’3″, 195 pounds) posted a 55-891-8 line during his final season at Southern Mississippi.
Meanwhile, the Jets have a long list of backup wideouts who should see time in the HOF game, including Irvin Charles, Alex Erickson, Malik Taylor, and 2023 UDFAs Jerome Kapp, T.J. Luther, and Xavier Gipson.