Jets Still Waiting on Clearance for Three Injured Starters

Two cornerbacks remain in concussion protocol, right guard dealing with quad issue

The New York Jets are still waiting on three starters to heal back into game shape. 

Despite the luxury of the bye week, cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed along with right guard Joe Tippmann have been unable to shed their injury status. 

Gardner and Reed are practicing for the Week 8 battle against the New York Giants but have still not successfully cleared the concussion protocol. 

"They're still going through it. You'll see them at practice, but they're going through it," said head coach Robert Saleh prior to Wednesday's practice in Florham Park. "It's gonna be one of those things, with both of them, that will probably take all the way until gameday."

After being placed into the protocol three weeks ago, Reed has missed back-to-back games. According to Saleh, he was trending in the right direction prior to the October 15 win over Philadelphia but has been unable to clear the final stage. 

"D.J. was on the same timeline and then Thursday, he couldn't pass that hurdle," said Saleh. 

Meanwhile, Gardner's concussion symptoms emerged on October 13 and prevented him from playing against the Eagles. He had made 22 consecutive starts since being drafted with the No. 4 overall selection in 2022.

Tippmann left the Week 6 game due to injury and did not return. Veteran backup Wes Schweitzer replaced the second-round rookie for the remainder of the day. 

Dealing with a quad issue, Tippmann is not yet ready to practice. On Monday, Saleh labeled the interior offensive lineman as a "pretty quick healer." The third-year head coach added context on Wednesday.

"I’m always hopeful he could be available, but we’ll see. Tomorrow, we’ll see how he feels and whether or not we can get him in practice," said Saleh.

The optimist hopes to have all three injured Jets back in time for the October 29 rivalry game that will kick off at 1:00 pm ET at MetLife Stadium. This story will be updated with the full official injury report on Wednesday evening.

Potential Tippmann Absence Poses Issue for Jets' Offensive Line

Jets at Giants Injury Report

WEDNESDAY
Jets 
OL Joe Tippmann (quad) — DNP 
WR Randall Cobb (shoulder) — DNP 
OL Mekhi Becton (knee) — LP 
CB Michael Carter II (hamstring) — LP 
WR Irv Charles (shoulder) — LP 
DL Micheal Clemons (ankle) — FP 
CB Brandin Echols (hamstring) — FP 
CB Sauce Gardner (concussion) — FP 
DL Jermaine Johnson (foot) — FP 
CB D.J. Reed (concussion) —FP 

Giants 
RB Gary Brightwell (hamstring) — DNP 
DL Leonard Williams (NIR/rest) — DNP 
RB Saquon Barkley (elbow) — LP 
K Graham Gano (left knee) — LP 
DB Adoree Jackson (neck) — LP 
QB Daniel Jones (neck) — LP 
OL Evan Neal (ankle) — LP 
C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) — LP 
LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) — LP 
OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring) — LP 
TE Darren Waller (hamstring) — LP

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