The New York Jets are already dealing with a familiar early-season problem: injuries piling up fast. Two weeks into the 2026 regular season, the team has placed three players on injured reserve, including defensive tackle David Onyemata, and now tight end Mason Taylor is expected to miss time after hurting his thumb in Sunday’s overtime loss.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Taylor is considered “week-to-week” and is likely to sit out this week’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Taylor entered the season with real breakout buzz around him, and the case was easy to make. He showed plenty as a rookie even while working with three different quarterbacks, and his ability in contested situations stood out right away. His 79% contested catch rate ranked second among qualified tight ends, behind only George Kittle.
But the receiving production has not come together through the first two games. In Week 1, Taylor caught two of three targets for -2 yards.
He did haul in a six-yard pass, but that play was wiped out by a screen that lost yardage. In Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, he wasn’t targeted before exiting.
If the passing-game numbers have been quiet, Taylor has still made his presence felt as a blocker. Among 27 qualified tight ends with at least 35 run-blocking snaps, he ranks fourth in Pro Football Focus’ run-blocking grade at 75.5. The Week 1 tape matched that reputation.
There’s no need to overreact to the slow start, either. The Jets have had trouble getting their tight ends involved as receivers across the board, and second-year tight ends often need time to settle in. Taylor’s path has been even bumpier than most, with Geno Smith already the fourth quarterback he’s caught a pass from and Frank Reich his second offensive coordinator.
With Taylor now expected to miss the Lions game, first-round rookie Kenyon Sadiq becomes the name to watch. He didn’t get much of a chance to make an impact in Week 2, but Taylor’s absence gives him a clear opening to step forward.
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