NY Jets Injury Report Week 16: Jamison Crowder unlikely to play
By Justin Fried
The NY Jets injury report for Week 16 features seven players including wide receiver Jamison Crowder. However, that doesn't come close to detailing the extent to which the Jets' roster has been ravaged by injuries and illness.
The Jets still have 16 players plus head coach Robert Saleh on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and it's expected that all of them will remain on the list going into this Sunday's game. At least, that's the assumption the Jets are working with.
Combine that with the sheer quantity of injuries the Jets have been forced to deal with and you have a roster that resembles perhaps the thinnest in football. All of that aside, their Week 16 injury report could be worse.
Elijah Riley is the only player declared OUT as the young safety is dealing with a concussion following a scary collision in last week's game. Crowder is listed as doubtful with a calf injury after not practicing all week. Five others are listed as questionable.
The NY Jets injury report in Week 16 will likely feature two key absences
Riley's absence, combined with the likes of Ashtyn Davis and Sharrod Neasman landing on the injured reserve, will likely force the Jets to start two brand news players at safety this week.
The only two healthy safeties on the active roster are Will Parks and Kai Nacua who were each signed this week. Nacua was signed off the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad on Thursday and doesn't even have an official jersey number yet.
Despite this, both players could be in line to receive significant playing time on Sunday. Other options are rookie Jason Pinnock who has been practicing at safety and 2020 undrafted free agent Elijah Benton who was signed to the practice squad two weeks ago.
The situation at wide receiver might be just as bad with Crowder not expected to play after failing to practice this week. The Jets are already down Elijah Moore and Corey Davis leaving just four healthy wide receivers on the active roster.
Keelan Cole, Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios, and the recently-activated Jeff Smith are expected to play significant snaps on Sunday. Practice squad members Vyncint Smith and D.J. Montgomery could also be elevated if necessary.
Fortunately, all five players listed as questionable are expected to play. George Fant (knee), Bryce Hall (illness), C.J. Mosley (back), Sheldon Rankins (knee), and Quinnen Williams (shoulder) were all full participants during Friday's practice and should play on Sunday.
The Jets' roster has been decimated by injuries and illness this season, and the expected absences of Riley and Crowder on Sunday only further complicate matters.