The Jets have spent the first two weeks treating Kenyon Sadiq like a piece they didn’t quite want to overcook. That makes sense. He missed the entire preseason and most of training camp, and for a rookie tight end drafted 16th overall, the early menu was always going to be simple: designed touches, checkdowns, and a chance to win with athleticism while the rest of the game slowed down.
Now Week 3 changes the equation.
Sadiq’s usage so far has been modest. He scored on a three-yard touchdown run in Week 1, but hasn’t gotten another carry.
As a receiver, he’s been targeted six times, caught five passes for 38 yards, and still hasn’t found the end zone through the air or picked up a first down. Every target has come under 10 yards downfield, including three behind the line of scrimmage, leaving him with an average depth of target of 0.0 yards.
That quiet start was expected. The Jets didn’t have much choice after his limited practice time, and they had no reason to ask a rookie with so little prep to handle a full route tree right away.
A handoff doesn’t require timing with Geno Smith. A designed touch doesn’t require the same trust as a route on third down.
But the leash is about to stretch.
Mason Taylor, the Jets’ TE1, is out for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions because of a thumb injury. That opens the door for Sadiq, who has played 39% of the Jets’ offensive snaps so far, to see a much bigger workload.
The injury picture at receiver could push even more his way, too, with Adonai Mitchell limited in Friday’s practice because of a finger injury he suffered during the week. He was seen with a large wrap around his right hand.
The timing also works in Sadiq’s favor. He has now been back at practice for 25 days, and he’s also banked two regular-season games.
That matters for a rookie who barely got on the field in camp. The Jets have had enough time to get him more comfortable with the playbook and a little more in sync with Smith.
And if there’s a defense built to help that next step happen, it’s Detroit.
The Lions have been leaking points all season, giving up 35.5 per game, and their pass defense has been especially rough, ranking 31st with 310.5 yards allowed per game. Tight ends have given them the most trouble of all. Detroit has surrendered a league-high four touchdown catches to the position and 187 receiving yards, the second-most in the league.
That’s not a great place to be when the Jets are looking for a player like Sadiq to grow up fast.
The matchup lines up even more cleanly when you look at the Lions’ defensive personnel. Detroit has already been operating without starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, who started the season on the PUP list. Thomas Harper, one of the three safeties the Lions have been using to patch the hole, is also out with an ankle injury.
At linebacker, Jack Campbell has been a vulnerable spot as well. The 2025 All-Pro has already allowed two touchdown receptions, tied with Giants rookie Arvell Reese for the most among linebackers, and both came against tight ends.
Against tight ends overall, Campbell has been targeted four times, with all four passes completed for 34 yards, two touchdowns, and two more first downs. He also drew a holding penalty on Bills tight end Dawson Knox that erased a red zone sack.
The Jets were right to keep things simple early. But with Taylor sidelined, Mitchell banged up, and Detroit offering a soft landing spot for a tight end with Sadiq’s traits, Week 3 feels like the moment to stop easing him in and start letting him loose.
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