Jets inactives list for Week 16 game vs Saints (Tyrod Taylor status revealed)

The New York Jets head into a Week 16 matchup with the struggling New Orleans Saints in a game that has more at stake than it may initially appear. Both of these teams are jockeying for position in a crowded 2026 NFL Draft order.

The Jets enter this game with a 3-11 record, one game back of a three-way tie for the No. 1 overall pick. While the first pick might be a pipedream for the Jets at this stage, they could very well secure a top-five selection in this upcoming draft, and a loss today would certainly help matters.

The Jets will once again be starting undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook, even with veteran Tyrod Taylor expected to be back in the mix. Taylor is listed as questionable with groin and knee injuries but is expected to be active as the team's QB2.

He's not the only Jets quarterback nursing an injury, however. Justin Fields is also listed as questionable due to a knee injury, but is not expected to play. All signs continue to point to Fields having played his final game in green and white.

The Jets ruled out three players for Week 16: tight end Mason Taylor (neck), linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (neck), and defensive end Eric Watts (concussion). Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters this week that Taylor, who will miss his second consecutive game, is expected back for Week 17.

As for the Saints, they're dealing with a host of their own injuries. Running back Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle), offensive tackle Asim Richards (ankle), and offensive guard Cesar Ruiz (ankle) have all been ruled out for today's game.

Former Jets defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee), wide receiver Mason Tipton (illness), and tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee) are all listed as questionable. The Saints also placed breakout wide receiver Devaughn Vele and rookie running back Devin Neal on IR this week.

Who are the official inactives for both the Jets and the Saints today? We've got you covered.

Full inactives list for New York Jets in Week 16

• TE Mason Taylor
• LB Kiko Mauigoa
• DE Eric Watts
• QB Justin Fields (emergency QB)
• DT Mazi Smith
• DT Payton Page

The Jets will be without rookie tight end Mason Taylor for a second consecutive week. Expect Jeremy Ruckert to receive the start, with Jelani Woods serving as TE2. Stone Smartt and hybrid fullback Andrew Beck could also see time at tight end with Ruckert sidelined.

Rookie linebacker Kiko Mauigoa is inactive again due to a neck injury. Veteran Mykal Walker should serve as the Jets' third linebacker, with special-teamers Cam Jones and Kobe King behind him.

Defensive end Eric Watts suffered a concussion in Week 15 and will miss this game. That means Braiden McGregor is back in the active game-day roster for the first time since Week 12.

Justin Fields is an expected inactive, as the fifth-year quarterback continues to nurse a knee injury. Brady Cook will be the starter, with Tyrod Taylor returning from injury to play the role of QB2 again. Fields will be the emergency QB today.

Defensive tackles Mazi Smith and undrafted rookie Payton Page are both healthy scratches. The Jets signed Page to their 53-man roster on Thursday, but veteran Khalen Saunders gets the nod over him this week.

Full inactives list for New Orleans Saints in Week 16

• RB Alvin Kamara
• OT Asim Richards
• OG Cesar Ruiz
• TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
• DB Ugo Amadi
• DT Khristian Boyd
• CB Rejzohn Wright

Running back Alvin Kamara will miss his fourth consecutive game due to injury. Kendre Miller is on IR with a torn ACL, and rookie standout Devin Neal joined him this week. That leaves Audric Estime and Evan Hull as the only two active running backs available today.

Backup offensive tackle Asim Richards and starting right guard Cesar Ruiz are both inactive due to injuries this week. Expect Will Sherman to start in place of Ruiz at right guard.