The New York Jets are about to get a boost on offense, but the story around Adonai Mitchell still comes with a fog machine attached.
Mitchell is expected to return Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium after missing the Jets’ last four games with a finger injury that never really got a clean explanation. The third-year receiver’s absence stretched back to the span between New York’s Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers and its Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions, when he reportedly got his finger caught in a jersey during practice and needed nearly a month to recover.
Even now, the details remain oddly thin. When Mitchell met with reporters yesterday, he didn’t offer much on how the injury happened or what the treatment process looked like. He was noticeably guarded, and the sense around him was that he had been told to keep it brief.
Adonai Mitchell just spoke to reporters. He was clearly told not to say anything about his injury.
He said he can’t remember how the injury happened or if he had an option for surgery. I’m a little worried he has amnesia.
- Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) October 23, 2026
The 24-year-old made clear he’s eager to get back on the field, though. Asked repeatedly about his finger in the locker room, Mitchell kept steering the conversation back to football and his excitement to rejoin the group.
"I feel great, man. I got 10 of them thangs (fingers), and dog, I'm just ready to ball with the guys, man."
Mitchell’s return should help a Jets offense that has been searching for more rhythm in his absence. New York had to lean on Sterling Shepard and some undrafted free agents while both Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. were out of the lineup.
Cooper returned last week in New England and gave the offense a lift. Now the Jets should finally have both receivers back together, which is exactly the kind of jolt this group has been waiting for.
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