For at least the next three weeks, the New York Jets will be without their top pass catcher as Garrett Wilson continues to recover from a knee injury.
Wilson, who set a franchise record by surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, sustained the injury in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos. He missed two games before returning for New York’s 27–20 win over the Cleveland Browns, only to aggravate the injury.
Now, with the Jets sitting at 2-8 and Wilson not expected back until December, fans and analysts have questioned whether the team might shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Aaron Glenn isn’t ready to take that step.
Garrett Wilson’s injury update
Speaking Friday following New York’s 27-14 loss to the New England Patriots, Glenn expressed optimism that Wilson’s stint on injured reserve will be temporary.
“A lot of that has to do with the docs,” Glenn said. “Him being on this short-term IR, obviously, he’d get to come back after four games, so hopefully he’ll be back with us.”
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Glenn has repeatedly insisted the Jets intend to compete down the stretch, which suggests that once Wilson is medically cleared, the team plans to put him back on the field.
In seven games this season, Wilson recorded 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Before his injury, he was on pace for a fourth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign to start his career — a streak likely out of reach at this point.
If Wilson remains on IR for the full four-week minimum, he would be eligible to return on Dec. 14 when the Jets travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. That timeline would allow him to play in New York’s final four regular-season games.
Whether Wilson is healthy enough to return by then, or whether the Jets ultimately decide to shut him down, remains uncertain.
What is clear, though, is how much the Jets miss his presence in the offense.