Unexpected Jets injury could vault fan-favorite UDFA onto 53-man roster

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has spent his first seven months on the job raving about his team's running back room. Glenn has made it clear that he believes his team has three talented running backs that he plans to deploy in a committee this season.

Unfortunately, one of those running backs is currently sidelined with an injury. 2024 fifth-round pick Isaiah Davis injured his ankle in the Jets' preseason opener two weeks ago and has not been seen on the practice field since.

ESPN's Rich Cimini provided a minor update on Davis during the final training camp practice of the summer on Wednesday, reporting that the second-year running back is "still walking with a slight limp," speculating that he could be a candidate for the short-term IR.

It's unclear if Davis will be healthy to start the regular season, but if he's not, that could open the door for another running back on the roster to make the team: undrafted rookie Donovan Edwards.

Isaiah Davis injury could open the door for Donovan Edwards to make the Jets' roster

Edwards was once viewed as a potential top-100 pick in the NFL Draft following a breakout sophomore campaign at Michigan that saw him rush for 991 yards and seven touchdowns on a stellar 7.1 yards per carry.

Many expected him to build upon that performance and become one of the nation's top running backs in the near future. Instead, his junior and senior seasons fell flat, as he became little more than a part-time player in Michigan's offense.

Edwards was signed by the Jets as one of the most high-profile undrafted free agents this spring, and he's flashed the upside he once showed at Ann Arbor in the preseason.

The 22-year-old rushed for 42 yards on nine carries in the Jets' preseason opener a couple of weeks ago, and that doesn't include a near-80-yard touchdown that was wiped out by a holding penalty. Edwards was the Jets' second-highest-graded offensive player in that game, posting a fantastic 90.6 Pro Football Focus grade.

He followed that up with a less exciting performance in Week 2, rushing for just 21 yards on eight carries, but it should be noted that he's also graded out as the team's best pass-blocking running back this summer.

Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis (if healthy) are all essentially locks for the 53-man roster, and kick return specialist Kene Nwangwu appears to have a firm hold on a spot as well. However, if Davis begins the season on short-term IR, it could create an opening for Edwards to claim a roster spot.

The decision would likely come down to how comfortable the Jets are with giving Nwangwu legitimate running back snaps and their overall evaluation of Edwards. The rookie UDFA will have one final opportunity to prove his case this Friday in the Jets' preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Edwards feels like a safe bet for the Jets' practice squad at a bare minimum if he were to clear waivers, but Davis' injury could just present a golden opportunity for the former Michigan standout.

If he impresses this weekend, he might just be able to force his way onto the 53-man roster, depending on Davis' health.

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