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New York Jets: Time to get healthy again

ByPaul Newbold|

The New York Jets have yet to play their final preseason game at the time of this writing. Their next and final game will be played against the Philadelphia Eagles, to wrap up the summer activities. The starters will see limited action, and starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick won’t play in the finale at all.

The key to this game is to stay healthy and avoid injury. It is a meaningless game, made even more mundane by the fact that these two teams will meet in the regular season. The last thing the Jets need in this game is another major injury. The team has had it fair share of injuries already this summer and another injury would truly hurt.

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This morning at practice, the rehab area was once again a crowded affair.

Taking a long look at all the major injuries to hit the team, the Jets have quite the list. Jace Amaro, Erin Henderson, James Carpenter, Willie Colon, Ben Ijalana, Calvin Pace, Leonard Williams, Dee Milliner, Jeremy Kerley, Lorenzo Mauldin, Geno Smith, Ronald Talley, Devin Smith, Brandon Marshall and Antonio Cromartie were all reported to have started the day, not with their positions at the start of practice.

Marshall and Colon are getting a rest day and are not injured, but the rest of this group has been banged up. Todd Bowles has said that even Dee Milliner might start the season on the short term IR list, while Devin Smith is likely to miss the first game. Add to that the four-game suspension handed to Sheldon Richardson and the one game suspension of Oday Aboushi, the Jets will be shorthanded on opening day if these guys can’t get healthy.

A majority of these players, the Jets were counting on this summer headed into the season ready to make some noise. Jace Amaro was being counted on to develop and claim the starting tight end job for instance. A poor camp and a “shoulder strain” have dashed those hopes as it turned out to be more serious than originally thought and he’s out for the entire season.

Geno Smith of course was being slated as the starting quarterback until he had a locker room altercation that resulted in a broken jaw. While showing well in practices, Smith has lost the entire preseason and the reigns have been turned over to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Jeremy Kerley is recovering from another concussion, but he hasn’t practiced all that well as his role might be slightly diminished this year.

Resting Cromartie, Colon and Marshall gives them time to overcome any battle fatigue they might have acquired through the first preseason games. These three are aging veterans and rest is always welcomed. All three will be ready for opening day, but it is doubtful they play for any amount of time in the finale. Fans may not see any starters on the field against the Eagles as the Jets can’t afford another injury to a starter.

Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Walter Powell (18) avoids New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) and returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The season opener is rapidly approaching and the Jets need to get as many of these players healthy as they possibly can. Milliner, Geno Smith and Devin Smith are guaranteed to miss the opening day affair against the Cleveland Browns. The rest however will need to get healthy quickly for this team. Each has a role to play and if they can’t get healthy, the Jets will be forced to depend on depth at their positions.

No need to panic here Jet fans. A lot of teams have been banged up this season and the Jets are not alone. The other good news is the first contest of the year is against the Browns. It should be an easy win for the Jets as the quarterback situation still hasn’t settled down one bit for the Browns.

The trainers and medical staff will be hard at work leading up to the opener. Doctors will evaluate, trainers will rehab and the players will need to put in the work to get back as soon as possible. The Jets are still in fairly good shape, but it is always helpful to have a healthy squad heading into the regular season. Injuries have slowed the process but thankfully the Jets haven’t lost anyone for the season, with the exception of Antonio Allen.

It’s not all gloom and doom. The injuries haven’t been severe for the most part and many of the players currently in the rehab area today, will be ready for opening day with the exception of Amaro. The team is struggling with a few injuries but should be in good shape if the majority of these guys can get healthy.

Should fans panic due to the injuries the Jets have suffered? Is Smith’s injury the greatest loss of all? We here at The Jet Press value your opinions. Please join the discussion, leave us a comment below and Let’s Talk Jet Football!

Next: New York Jets: Leonard Williams says will be ready for opener

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