Jets receive alarming Adonai Mitchell update ahead of Browns game

If it’s any consolation to New York Jets fans, they’re not the only ones wondering what’s going on with third-year receiver Adonai Mitchell. 

Mitchell, whom many had pegged as a breakout candidate following a stellar offseason and preseason, has missed the last two weeks with an undisclosed finger injury. He hadn’t practiced this week before the Jets ruled him out for Sunday's game against the AFC North-leading Cleveland Browns. 

Perhaps we shouldn’t plan on seeing Mitchell rejoin the starting lineup anytime soon. ESPN’s Rich Cimini shared on The Jets Collective podcast that he hasn't seen Mitchell "in a couple of weeks" and wouldn’t be surprised if the 2024 third-round pick had surgery.

“They are being really secretive about it,” Cimini said. “I was told that it was broken. [Jets coach Aaron] Glenn denied that. We will find out.”

Mitchell had nine catches for 123 yards in the Jets' first two games. He had 24 receptions, 301 yards, and two touchdowns after joining the Jets in last November's Sauce Gardner trade.

Are the New York Jets withholding information about Adonai Mitchell’s finger injury?

Before going any further, let’s be clear: we are not accusing Glenn of lying about Mitchell’s injury. Cimini shared that Glenn “denied” Mitchell needed surgery on his broken finger, so do with that what you will.

That said, NFL rules strictly prohibit teams from hiding injuries. You’ll occasionally see players listed as “out” for personal or undisclosed reasons, though those typically are not injury-related. Additionally, the NFL told NBC Sports in 2023 that teams do not need to list players battling an illness on the injury report if they fully participate in practice.

The Jets have technically been transparent by repeatedly listing Mitchell as a non-participant in practice. It is unclear whether Glenn or the organization would be reprimanded if they outright lied about Mitchell having surgery or suffering a broken finger. 

If Mitchell indeed underwent surgery, then why didn’t the Jets place him on injured reserve? He hasn’t played since Week 2, and players can return from IR after missing a minimum of four games. We understand why a team wouldn't want to reveal its hand, but Mitchell isn’t practicing at all; this isn’t an instance of someone grinding out a full practice despite working through a serious injury. 

We can add this to the long list of reasons why Jets fans have given up on Glenn, who enters Sunday having lost 17 of 21 games. Things sure are going great in Florham Park!

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