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Jamison Crowder Tests Positive For COVID-19; Could Miss Regular Season Opener

New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder has tested positive for COVID-19. Crowder's status for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers is now in jeopardy

Max Goodman

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

With just over one week to go until the regular season begins, Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, who first reported the news, it's believed to be an isolated case.

Still, the veteran wideout will head to the COVID list, meaning his status for Week 1 in Carolina is now "up in the air," per Pelissero.

Crowder was New York's leading receiver a year ago, accumulating 699 receiving yards on 59 catches with six touchdowns in 2020. That's after an even bigger year of production in his first year with Gang Green in 2019, totaling 833 receiving yards on 78 receptions with another six scores. 

After restructuring his contract in the offseason to take a slight pay cut, the 28-year-old is poised to maintain a key role on this offense—with Zach Wilson under center rather than Sam Darnold—while surrounded by an improved group at the wide receiver position.

Even before testing positive for the virus, Crowder's status for next Sunday's opener was technically touch and go. The wideout was day-to-day with a groin injury, although head coach Robert Saleh assured he wasn't worried about Crowder missing time. 

If Crowder needs to sit for the opener on September 12, it could be an opportunity for rookie Elijah Moore to shine. The second-round pick hasn't played in the preseason, working back from a quad injury, so he'll be raring to go early and often during his first in-game chance in the pros. 

Otherwise, top option Corey Davis will get plenty of targets, as was the case whenever Wilson was calling the shots this preseason. 

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Max Goodman
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.

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