Jets face critical test against the Cardinals amid ongoing injury issues in the offensive line.

Offensive Line Woes Deepen for Jets

As they gear up to face the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Jets are contending with a series of injury setbacks among their offensive linemen. With three interior linemen unable to practice on Wednesday, the Jets are cautiously hopeful that at least a few players might be ready for game day. The state of the offensive line could be a key factor as the Jets aim to regain momentum and shore up their playoff hopes.

The Jets held five offensive linemen out of Wednesday’s practice, though two—veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses—are expected to return in time for Sunday. Smith, taking his typical rest day, was joined by Moses, who has been battling a knee injury. Moses revealed that he has been playing through a Grade 2 MCL tear, along with meniscus damage and a small fracture, injuries dating back to Week 3. Despite this, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich remains confident about his availability for the Cardinals matchup.

Interior Line: A Shifting Rotation

The interior of the Jets’ line is even more concerning, with guards Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), Jake Hanson (hamstring), and John Simpson (groin) all sidelined. Vera-Tucker, the starting right guard, suffered an ankle injury in the Pittsburgh game, which led to Xavier Newman stepping in. However, Newman was subsequently placed on injured reserve after sustaining a neck injury in the same game. Hanson took over for Vera-Tucker before also going down with an injury last Thursday, further compounding the team’s difficulties.

On the left side, John Simpson, who had started every game, was sidelined with a groin injury against Houston. In response, the Jets were forced to experiment with two tackles—rookie Olu Fashanu and Max Mitchell—filling in at guard during the Texans game. It remains unclear who will be starting on Sunday if the regular guards cannot return, leaving the Jets’ coaching staff scrambling to find solutions.

Signs of Encouragement on Defense

Despite the challenges on offense, the Jets received positive news from their defense. Safety Tony Adams, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, was a full participant in practice. Adams’ return would be timely, as the Jets’ safety depth has been stretched thin. Additionally, safety Ashtyn Davis was a limited participant after two weeks out due to a concussion, while linebacker Chazz Surratt also participated on a limited basis due to a heel injury.

Cardinals Also Facing Injuries

The Arizona Cardinals have their own injury concerns heading into the game. Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum sat out Wednesday’s practice for a veteran rest day, while defensive lineman Darius Robinson was sidelined with a calf issue. However, defensive end L.J. Collier, running back James Conner, and offensive tackle Jonah Williams were all limited participants.

As both teams prepare to face off, the Jets will need to compensate for the potential absences on their offensive line if they hope to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers effectively and establish a run game against a solid Cardinals defense. With playoff aspirations on the line, the stakes for this matchup continue to grow.