During the Jets‘ first two preseason games, most of the starting players participated.
But that will not be the case during Gang Green’s preseason finale against the Eagles.
But Jets head coach Aaron Glenn isn’t saying which starters will play on Friday night.
“The starters won’t play in this game,” Glenn said. “I won’t get into the who’s or whatnot, but a good amount of starters won’t play. It gives us the chance to look at some of our other young guys and give them plenty of playing time so we can evaluate them.
“Obviously, it’s getting down to cutting time as far as who’s going to make the 53, then who of the 69 guys we’re going to have in totality. So, it’s important to go out there and really watch these guys and see how they operate. We got to give everybody a chance, and that’s what we’ve been doing for the most part.”
When asked if quarterback Justin Fields is one of those starters who will sit, Glenn declined to answer.
“I said I’m not going to say who, but a good amount of starters won’t play.”
The Jets’ starting offense is coming off a pedestrian performance during their 31-12 loss to the Giants on Saturday night. Fields registered more rushing yards (five) than he had passing (four).
Fields helped lead the Jets to a first-quarter field goal by Nick Folk. However, the Jets ran the ball 10 times on their 12-play drive, with Fields’ only pass being incomplete to Garrett Wilson on 3rd and 10.
Throughout training camp, Fields and the Jets’ first team offense have been uneven. He is learning his fourth different offensive scheme in five seasons, and there were expected to be some growing pains.
But at times, Fields has been hesitant to throw the ball down the field for possible explosive plays. But he says he is comfortable taking checkdowns and gradually moving the ball down the field.
“We’re fine with taking eight-yard completions every play, if I’m being honest with you,” Fields said. “Of course you want explosives, but like I said Saturday, we’re not going to force the ball downfield. If they want to get depth on the second level, we’re fine with taking the eight-10-yard completion, taking time off the clock, and just driving down the field, and having 10-15 play drives.
“It gets the defense tired. It might not be as exciting on the offensive side of the ball for the fans, but like I said, it’s efficient ball. It’s also getting the defense tired just driving down the field like that.”
Fields had a solid day on what was the next-to-last practice of training camp on Tuesday. He completed 14 of 22 passes with touchdown passes to Wilson and fullback Andrew Beck.
However, the offense stalled late during a two-minute situation. The Jets committed a holding penalty and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson sacked Fields. The series and practice ended after two straight incompletions.
“Very confident, because that’s what practice is for,” Glenn said about his confidence in the Jets’ passing attack. “I mean, you have so many people that want to talk about a small amount of plays that these guys get to go out there and play, and then everything is falling down because we throw six passes, and then I mean, he’s Johnny Unitas when he throws four passes.
“It bothers me, and I laugh at it quite a bit, but the thing is, I understand it because that’s the noise that happens on the outside that our guys can’t really listen to. Listen, we go out here and we practice our a– off every day to be who we are going to be, and that’s where my confidence lies, in what we do on the grass here. And listen, preseason means a lot, it does, but for the most part, we concentrate on what we do on the grass because you get a ton of reps in that aspect.”
GARDNER, WILLIAMS & JOHNSON PARTICIPATE
The Jets received some good news on the injury front today after cornerback Sauce Gardner, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Johnson all returned to practice and participated in team drills.
Gardner and Williams have both been dealing with a calf injury. Johnson was recently activated from the physically unable to perform list following his torn Achilles last season and the Jets have been easing him back into practices.
After one of the team drill periods, Gardner was favoring his right leg. However, Glenn said someone just kicked Gardner in the leg accidentally.
Glenn is enthusiastic to get both Williams and Johnson back on the Jets’ defensive line.
“Woah, That’s all I can say is woah, he said. “I mean, 11’s out there and he’s rushing the passer and he runs right by me and it’s like wind just like, ‘Woosh,’ like just goes by me. Then you see 95, it felt good. I will just say that. It felt really good.”
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