Saleh Says Week 12 Healthy Scratch Will Return to Lineup vs. Falcons

Jets' veteran WR made 10 straight starts prior to Black Friday benching

Allen Lazard's stint on the bench lasted only one week.

After making the veteran wide receiver a healthy scratch against the Miami Dolphins on Black Friday, New York Jets' head coach Robert Saleh stated his intention to re-insert Lazard into the lineup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.

"Yeah," said Saleh responding to the question of whether Lazard will be active.

The third-year head coach addressed reporters prior to Wednesday's practice in Florham Park. He also announced that the Jets are opening the 21-day practice windows for three players currently on Injured Reserve, headlined by future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Lazard, who was teammates with Rodgers in Green Bay, has struggled without his QB1 this season. Initially thought of as WR2, he ranks fourth on the team in both receptions (20) and receiving yards (290). Prior to the one-game benching, Lazard started the first 10 contests on the Jets' schedule but averaged fewer than 30.0 yards per appearance.

"Allen was down. Obviously, my decision. There are things that we all need to get better at, including him," said Saleh after relegating Lazard to the sidelines in a 34-13 setback to Miami on November 24. "He’s a good football player. I do believe that. For Allen, he will be back sooner rather than later."

The 6-foot-5 Lazard has only three catches combined over his three most-recent outings, including a goose egg against Buffalo. He was charged with a drop on his lone target in a 32-6 road loss to the Bills.

This past March, the 27-year-old Lazard, who will turn 28 on December 11, signed a four-year free-agent contract reportedly worth $44 million. Pro Football Focus slotted Lazard as the NFL's No. 142 most-effective receiver with a 55.4 grade heading into Week 12.

The Jets (4-7), who have totaled three offensive touchdowns over the last five games, host the NFC South division-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-6) on December 3 at 1:00 pm ET in East Rutherford. Garrett Wilson's one-yard fourth-quarter touchdown reception last time out against the Dolphins was the first TD catch by a Jets' wide receiver in seven games. Lazard's lone touchdown of the season came in Week 4 against Kansas City. 

Jets' Head Coach Addresses Allen Lazard's Lack of Production

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