As we enter another game day, the Jets, along with the other 31 teams, are once again faced with the task of deciding which players will actually suit up for the game and who will be on the inactive list.
Buy Jets TicketsAs a quick reminder, NFL teams can have up to 48 players active on game day, but to have the ability to dress 48, teams must have at least eight active offensive linemen. Otherwise, the maximum is 47.
The Jets were able to do so last week against the Ravens. Even with Conor McDermott inactive, the Jets still had three active reserves in Nate Herbig, Dan Feeney and Grant Hermanns.
Hermanns was called up to the active roster from the practice squad for the second straight week, so there’s a good chance the Jets will once again make him active and scratch McDermott.
Assuming all that, the Jets will have to name seven players as inactive. Last week was only five as they had 53 players after essentially swapping Duane Brown (placed on injured reserve) for Hermanns. This week, they’ll have 55 players.
One of those inactives players we already know is quarterback Zach Wilson. While Wilson was limited in practice all week, he was already listed as out on Friday, which we knew was going to be the case also.
One other player we can feel pretty sure about not playing is tight end C.J. Uzomah. A hamstring injury limited Uzomah on Thursday and he was held out of practice Friday and listed as doubtful. Another sign he likely won’t play is that the Jets also elevated Kenny Yeboah from the practice squad this week.
Yeboah’s call-up may also mean another healthy scratch for rookie tight end Jeremy Ruckert. Elsewhere, the Jets may make Denzel Mims inactive again and roll with five wide receivers. Defensive lineman Bryce Huff was a surprise inactive last week. Head coach Robert Saleh mentioned he wanted more run-stuffers against the Ravens and that may be the case again against the Browns.
Finally, safety Will Parks was signed to the active roster this week as insurance for Jordan Whitehead, who was thought to be week-to-week with an ankle injury. However, he worked his way back to a full practice Friday and the arrow is pointing up on him playing Sunday. If so, Parks would likely be scratched as the fifth safety. Ashtyn Davis is still a key contributor on special teams and Tony Adams is likely still ahead of Parks.
Using that, the seven players we’ll project to be inactive this week:
QB Zach Wilson
TE C.J. Uzomah
OL Conor McDermott
TE Jeremy Ruckert
WR Denzel Mims
DL Bryce Huff
S Will Parks