The Jets are heading into Week 1 with some familiar injury frustration already baked into the game plan.
Aaron Glenn gave the update Friday morning, and the list is not exactly friendly: Joseph Ossai and Tim Patrick have been ruled out, while D’Angelo Ponds and Kene Nwangwu are both doubtful.
Ossai’s absence hits the hardest on paper. The edge rusher signed a three-year deal with New York this offseason, but a foot injury in the preseason finale put him back on the shelf after he spent most of the summer on the PUP list. The Jets were counting on him to start and bring a much-needed edge as a run defender, something the defense lacked in 2025.
Ponds is another tough one to lose, even if the rookie corner did make it back into practice drills this week. He strained his calf during one of the first training camp practices, and it still looks like he’s not ready to suit up. That matters because the Jets expected him to open the season as their starting slot corner, and Week 1 brings a direct test in Wan’Dale Robinson, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards last season.
Nwangwu’s situation is a little more unusual. He wasn’t on the Jets’ first two injury reports, but Glenn still listed him as doubtful. Hamstring problems have followed him before, though his value on kick returns has been obvious whenever he’s available.
If Nwangwu can’t go, Jamaal Pritchett could be next in line. The practice squad receiver has turned in two strong straight summers, and he may be the one elevated to handle kick return duties. Tim Patrick, meanwhile, is also out for Week 1.
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