Jamison Crowder Ruled Out Against Panthers; What it Means For Jets

New York Jets WR Jamison Crowder has been ruled out for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers after testing positive for COVID-19 per head coach Robert Saleh

Max Goodman | Sep 10, 2021

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder has been ruled out for Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers, per head coach Robert Saleh.

Crowder was placed on the COVID-19 list late last week after testing positive for the virus.

As much as New York improved at the wide receiver position this offseason—bringing in Corey Davis in free agency and drafting Elijah Moore—losing a player like Crowder is still a blow for this offense.

Crowder, 28, was this team's leading receiver a year ago, hauling in 59 passes for 699 receiving yards. His numbers were even better the previous season in green and white. Sure, this is a new offensive scheme for everyone on the roster, but Crowder's veteran presence will be missed, especially for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson as he embarks on his first game in the NFL.

New York could also miss Keelan Cole on Sunday, another wideout they signed in free agency to bolster this aerial attack. Cole landed on the injury report after limited participation in Thursday's practice, listed with a knee injury.

On Friday, Saleh said that Cole's availability "will go down to the wire" Sunday in Carolina.

With no Crowder, and possibly no Cole, it's up to Davis and Moore to hold it down and give Wilson places to throw the football. Keep an eye on Denzel Mims for Week 1 as well. The second-year receiver that was expected to have much less of a role in this offense could see a lot of targets with those two key contributors sitting out on Sunday.

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Published Sep 10, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.