Jets Lose Linebacker Early in Hall of Fame Game

Third-year player suffers first-quarter neck injury in Canton

The New York Jets lost a backup linebacker to an injury on the second play from scrimmage in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton.

With Cleveland Browns quarterback Kellen Mond completing a short pass to tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden on 2nd-and-5, Hamsah Nasirildeen was in on the tackle but was injured in the process.

Nasirildeen, a 2021 sixth-round draft pick out of Florida State, was able to get off to the sidelines on his own, but would not return. He was subsequently ruled OUT with a neck injury.

The Browns’ opening drive, which was stunted by Bryce Huff’s third-down sack, ended on a 49-yard field goal attempt that Cade York missed wide right.

After the game, Jets' head coach Robert Saleh reported that Nasirildeen experienced a "stinger." 

"Hamsah, you know, he had a stinger, so he was out for head [injury evaluation]." said Saleh. "Should get back."

Nasirildeen, who has only 14 tackles in two seasons, primarily as a special teamer, is competing for the snaps that became available when veteran Kwon Alexander was not re-signed this offseason. After playing in all 17 games for the Jets in 2022, Alexander has since landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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