Aaron Glenn has recently played games about who will be the Jets’ starting quarterback from week to week.
Now, he is withholding injury information, something Glenn said he wouldn’t do back in training camp.
During his opening statements during Tuesday’s press conference, Glenn told reporters he would “pass on talking about injuries” after ESPN reporter Rich Cimini reported that Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson would miss at least three to four weeks with a right knee sprain. Wilson is also not expected to have surgery, according to the ESPN report.
During training camp, Glenn told reporters that he would be upfront with them about injuries.
Glenn continued to double down on his bit to keep Wilson’s injury status away from the media when asked if the fourth-year player would be a candidate for injured reserve.
“Ask Rich,” Glenn said when asked about Wilson’s status.
Then another reporter told Glenn that the media wanted to hear it from him, but he continued to be combative, like he has in recent weeks.
“You guys have been hearing it from me, but now, since we’re just reporting stuff that I haven’t said,” Glenn said. “Then maybe you should ask him.”
Glenn’s charade with the media began before Jets game against the Bengals in Week 8. After benching Justin Fields a week earlier against the Panthers, Glenn told reporters he didn’t want to announce the starting quarterback because it would give Cincinnati a competitive advantage.
Fields has kept starting, but Glenn told reporters on Monday, “Don’t ask me anything about the quarterback because you know I’m not going to tell you, and I don’t want to waste my time when it comes to that when it comes to who’s starting.”
When it comes to Wilson, his injury is a setback for a Jets team that’s won two straight games heading into the game against the Patriots. Gang Green only registered 169 total yards in the win against the Browns last Sunday, including only 42 net passing yards.
Wilson’s injury happened during Fields’ incomplete pass to Wilson during rainy weather in the second half. He slid on the ground and was seen limping back to the sideline and immediately headed to the medical tent for further examination.
Wilson then went on an exercise bike before going to the locker room and later was ruled out due to a knee injury. This is the same knee injury that caused Wilson to miss the previous two games before he returned against the Browns.
The Jets are already thin at receiver with Josh Reynolds (hip) on injured reserve. With no Wilson and Reynolds, the Jets receivers would consist of Tyler Johnson, rookie Arian Smith, Allen Lazard, Isaiah Williams, and John Metchie III, who made his Jets debut Sunday after being acquired in a trade with the Eagles.
Gang Green also acquired Adonai Mitchell in last week’s trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Mitchell didn’t play against the Browns after he had practiced just three days before the game.
In seven games, Wilson has 36 receptions with 395 yards and four touchdowns. He has finished with over 1,000 yards in each of his three previous seasons, but that streak could be in jeopardy.
Assuming he returns in four weeks, the earliest Wilson would return is Week 15 against the Jaguars. Given their current 2-7 record, there is no guarantee Wilson returns this season at all, especially since he reaggravated the injury on Sunday.
The loss of Wilson will also put further stress on the Jets’ passing game, which is averaging 143.8 passing yards per game, the worst in the NFL.
