Allen Lazard has landed on injured reserve, sideling him for at least four games. He is joined in that respect by defensive tackle Leki Fotu, per a team announcement. 
Fotu began the season on IR, and he was only activated two weeks ago. The free agent addition has therefore logged just 46 defensive snaps so far this season, and this second IR stint will further interrupt his 2024 campaign. Fotu served as a rotational member of Arizona’s D-line rotation over the past four years, and he was positioned to do the same upon arrival with the Jets.
The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal to join New York. That low-risk investment has not gone as planned so far, but once healthy Fotu could be an effective contributor against the run. Fulfilling that role would be welcomed by team and player; the Jets have posted strong numbers in certain defensive categories this season, but they rank only 17th against the run. An effective showing to close out the campaign would also, of course, help Fotu’s market value.
New York also activated tight end Kenny Yeboah from injured reserve on Thursday. Like Fotu, he was listed as designated for return before the roster cutdown deadline, allowing him to see the field at some point after Week 4. Yeboah had his practice window opened last week, so it comes as no surprise he has been activated in time for tonight’s matchup against the Texans. In a corresponding move to the special teamer’s activation, fellow tight end Anthony Firkser was released.
As expected, Riley Patterson will indeed be the first kicker to get the first opportunity to take over for the injured Greg Zuerlein. Added to the practice squad (along with Spencer Shrader) yesterday, Patterson will not be a gameday elevation for Thursday’s game; rather, he has been signed to the active roster. Given Zuerlein’s struggles this season, Patterson could certainly play his way into an extended opportunity with the Jets even after the veteran is healthy.
Offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom – who has bounced on and off the Jets’ roster in recent days – has also been signed off the taxi squad to the active roster. The 26-year-old has yet to make a regular season appearance in the NFL, but he will again dress as a backup option up front for today’s game.