NY Jets: John Franklin-Myers injures foot in Thursday’s practice

NY Jets’ defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers injured his foot in Thursday’s practice.

The NY Jets haven’t had much to remain optimistic about in 2020. But the play of surprise standout John Franklin-Myers has been a pleasant revelation in an otherwise abysmal season.

Unfortunately, despite receiving reinforcements in the form of a few returning players this week, some of their teammates are set to take their place on the sideline. And it seems as though Franklin-Myers might be one of them.

Despite being a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, the 24-year-old defensive lineman was listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report. The reason was a foot injury that he likely sustained in practice.

His status on Friday’s injury report will go a long way towards determining whether or not he will be able to play on Sunday, but it doesn’t necessarily look good.

The Jets have seen this same story before this season with the likes of Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, and others popping up on the injury report as a “limited participant” only to miss significant time with injuries.

Hopefully that isn’t the case with Franklin-Myers.

John Franklin-Myers has been one of the NY Jets’ best players this season.

The Jets’ young defensive lineman has been one of the few bright spots in a dark season for Gang Green. Originally a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams back in 2018, Franklin-Myers played all 16 games in his rookie season but was cut the following year.

The Jets picked him up as a priority waiver claim shortly after cut day, but he wouldn’t play a single game with the team in 2019 while dealing with a foot injury. It’s unknown if the foot he injured in practice is the same foot that caused him to miss all of last season.

Seen as a roster-bubble player entering training camp, the Jets clearly liked what they saw from Franklin-Myers as he made the 53-man roster and has slowly worked himself into a regular rotational role on defense.

Through four weeks, Franklin-Myers is the ninth-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the entire NFL, per Pro Football Focus. His 85.6 pass-rush grade, in particular, is stellar as it ranks top-five in the league at his position.

Despite not recording a sack, Franklin-Myers has been the Jets’ best pass-rusher this season and it really hasn’t been close. The former Stephen F. Austin star has accumulated six pressures on just 19 pass-rush snaps this season for an unheard-of 31.6 percent pressure rate.

The position average is just 7.4 percent.

Franklin-Myers has been nothing short of dominant this season and his increased defensive snaps have rewarded him for his excellent play.

Here’s to hoping that his injury hs nothing serious and that he can continue his incredible start to the season as soon as this Sunday.