Another week, another brutal blow to the Jets’ defense. Last week it was pass-rusher Carl Lawson tearing his Achilles, and now one of New York’s other big offseason acquisitions is hitting the shelf.
Linebacker Jarrad Davis has an ankle injury that will keep him out until some time around the Jets’ bye week, rookie head coach Robert Saleh announced Monday. Fortunately it’s not a season-ender like Lawson’s, but it’s still a tough break. Davis, who went down during the team’s preseason game against the Packers over the weekend, was supposed to be a starter. Saleh announced that rookie fifth-round pick Jamien Sherwood would slide into the starting lineup to replace him while he’s out.
The 21st pick of the 2017 draft by the Lions, Davis didn’t quite live up to first-round expectations in Detroit. He saw his fifth-year option get declined, and became a free agent after four seasons with the team. The Florida product then inked a one-year, $5.5MM pact with the Jets this offseason.
That deal apparently almost never happened, because Davis revealed just a few weeks ago that he considered walking away from the game and retiring. He went on to say that he felt rejuvenated playing for Saleh and his 4-3 defense where he felt like a better fit, so this injury is especially disappointing.
New York underwent a lot of change this offseason, with a new coach, new quarterback, and overhauled defense. Health issues are the last thing they needed as they enter a 2021 campaign with lots of uncertainty.
Sounds like the HC brought the injury bug from SF w/ him.
I seem to recall the 49ers blaming conditions at Met Life for some of their injuries last season. Giants have been getting banged up some too, so maybe this is more than just the usual excuse making.
Interesting. I forgot that nugget.
He’s absent when he’s on the field, so there will be on discernible difference.
Thank god. He one of the league’s slowest ILB.