Jarvis Brownlee Jr.'s injury opens the door for D'Angelo Ponds to start vs. Browns

The New York Jets seek to end their three-game skid, and the Cleveland Browns come to town on Sunday. It hasn't been smooth sailing in the slightest, and if the Jets want to get back in the win column, they'll need everyone to elevate their play.

Head coach Aaron Glenn spoke to reporters on Wednesday and revealed that Jarvis Brownlee Jr. remains in concussion protocol. If he can't go, it will push rookie D'Angelo Ponds into the starting lineup.

Jarvis Brownlee injury creates opening for D'Angelo Ponds vs. Browns

After missing all of training camp and the first two games of the season with a strained calf, Ponds made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. In that contest, he only played in two snaps, but that number jumped to 18 snaps against the Bears.

It looks like the Jets were easing him into action, but with Brownlee potentially inactive, the Jets may lean on Ponds as their starting nickel back. That would be significant for the rookie and would give him the runway to make a serious impact on this defense.

When New York took Ponds in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a ton of excitement about what he could offer. Despite being on the shorter end (5-foot-8), his speed and physicality can't be questioned.

There's still a learning curve that Ponds needs to clear, especially since he's a rookie. Yet, the only way to learn in the NFL is by playing and getting those live reps. His snap count is set to increase for the third straight week, and New York hopes that his production will follow.

In the loss to the Bears, Ponds committed a holding penalty that wiped out an interception that he caught. He also allowed a catch for 21 yards and finished with a 27 coverage grade per PFF. Of course, these grades need to be taken with a grain of salt; it shows there could be some areas of improvement for the Indiana product.

When on the field, Ponds will likely line up against fellow rookie KC Concepcion. The Browns have used him in the slot and constantly motioned him when on the field. The Jets will need Ponds' speed when defending him and his strong tackling skills when they dump that ball to Concepcion to allow him to do damage after the catch.

Fans should give Ponds some grace, as rookies need time to adjust. Yet at the same time, the Jets badly need a win, so they need everyone who takes the field to play at a high level. Time will tell how the game will shake out, but based on the early signs, there could be a heavy dose of Ponds on Sunday.

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