NY Jets provide unfortunate Allen Lazard injury update that could alter WR plans

The NY Jets are riding a wave of momentum following their thrilling 21-13 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. Unfortunately, not all is well on the injury front in Florham Park.

Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich provided a not-so-great update on the status of wide receiver Allen Lazard when speaking to reporters on Friday. Lazard was placed on the injured reserve with a chest injury this week and will miss a minimum of four weeks. It might be longer.

Ulbrich told reporters that Lazard's injury is "a strange one" and that the team currently does not have a timetable for his return. He was not able to provide specifics on the injury other than it affects the sternum and AC joint.

Lazard is sidelined indefinitely with his injury and could miss extended time. That's a major blow to a Jets offense that has, in many ways, relied on the former Green Bay Packers wide receiver this season. The injury could force the Jets to rethink their plans for the position.

Allen Lazard injury update could derail NY Jets' WR plans

Lazard ranks second on the Jets in receiving yards with 412 on 30 catches in seven games this season. His five touchdowns are also tied for first on the team with Garrett Wilson.

After a disastrous 2023 season in New York, Lazard has bounced back in a big way in 2024. He's reassumed his place as one of Aaron Rodgers' most trusted targets and has managed to make a positive impact in spite of his frequent dropped passes.

Lazard's injury leaves the Jets thin at wide receiver behind their top three targets. The expectation following the Davante Adams trade was that Mike Williams would be the odd man out, but that might not be the case any longer.

Williams has been the subject of frequent trade rumors leading up to Tuesday's deadline, but with Lazard now set to miss a considerable amount of time, the Jets might rethink their plans to move the veteran wideout.

The depth behind Wilson, Adams, and Lazard is thin, with Xavier Gipson, Irvin Charles, and rookie Malachi Corley the only three other wide receivers on the active roster. Those three have combined for five catches this season.

Lazard also doubles as one of the Jets' best run-blockers, a role Williams can theoretically fill effectively as well. Despite his struggles this season, the Jets are a better team with Williams on their roster, and if they're still holding out hope for a playoff push, it would be wise to keep him around.

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