Projected Jets defensive starter carted off after injury in practice

The injuries are starting to pile up at New York Jets training camp. While the team has mostly avoided any major injuries to this point, Tuesday's practice resulted in three new players leaving early, including one projected defensive starter who was carted off the field.

Jets defensive tackle Byron Cowart was carted off the field during Tuesday's practice with a reported ankle injury. While the severity remains unclear, any situation that requires the cart naturally raises concern, especially for a player expected to play a key role on defense.

Cowart was joined by defensive end Will McDonald (back spasms) and rookie cornerback Azareye'h Thomas (shoulder), who both left Tuesday's practice with injuries as well. Running back Breece Hall also briefly left practice to be checked out by trainers but returned before the day was over.

The Jets are already without Quinnen Williams (calf), John Simpson (back), Tyrod Taylor (knee), and rookie tight end Mason Taylor, who is nursing a high-ankle sprain. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson remains on the PUP list as he continues to rehab the torn Achilles he suffered last season.

Byron Cowart injury could shake up the Jets' DL rotation

A fifth-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2019 NFL Draft, Cowart signed with the Jets on a one-year, veteran minimum deal this offseason with a chance to compete in a thin defensive tackle room.

The former five-star recruit re-emerged as a rotational contributor with the Chicago Bears last season after failing to appear in a single NFL game the previous season. Cowart finished the 2024 season with a career-best 2.5 sacks, while playing 35% of his team's defensive snaps.

The early word out of Jets spring practices and training camp this summer is that Cowart is the favorite to win the starting defensive tackle job alongside Quinnen Williams. He's competing with veterans like Derrick Nnadi and Jay Tufele for the role.

Cowart has reportedly flashed at times this summer and seems likely to play a key role in the Jets' defensive line rotation. That is, of course, if he's healthy.

If Cowart is forced to miss time, Nnadi seems like the logical candidate to step into a starting role. The longtime Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle has 115 games of NFL experience under his belt and spent the first six years of his career as a full-time starter for the multi-time Super Bowl champions.

Others such as Tufele, 2024 undrafted standout Leonard Taylor III, former Washington Commanders second-round pick Phidarian Mathis, and undrafted rookies Payton Page and Fatorma Mulbah could also be in line for increased reps.

The Jets will await word on the severity of Cowart’s injury, but for now, injuries continue to mount in Florham Park ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.

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