Skrine out vs. Falcons
The Jets will be without two starters this weekend when the Falcons come to MetLife Stadium.
Cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion) and right tackle Brandon Shell (neck) have both been ruled out for Sunday. Tight end Jordan Leggett (knee) also won’t play.
Defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, toe) is questionable and will be a gametime decision. “He’ll work out before the game,” Bowles said. Brent Qvale will start in Shell’s place at right tackle, according Bowles. Qvale, a third-year former undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, replaced Shell after the first drive in last week’s loss to the Dolphins. Bowles saw positives and negatives from Qvale as he faced standout Miami defensive end Cameron Wake.
“He did a decent job,” Bowles said. “There’s some things he can do better. He’s just got to keep working, but he’s a tough kid.”
Qvale should see a healthy dose of Atlanta edge rusher Vic Beasley on Sunday. Beasley, on whom the Jets passed in the 2015 draft to take Leonard Williams, led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season. He has four so far in 2017.
“He’s tough coming off the edge,” Bowles said this week of Beasley. “He’s speed, speed-to-power. He’s got moves, he’s got an arsenal. He’s a relentless pass rusher.”
The Jets will have a tough time replacing Skrine — who is dealing with his third concussion in three seasons, this weekend — even if the 28-yearold played his worst game of the season last week against the Dolphins. With Xavier Coleman landing on injured reserve on Tuesday, Skrine is the only true slot corner the Jets have on their roster. Bowles said earlier this week he will have to do “some gymnastics” to figure out who to play inside. Juston Burris, Darryl Roberts, Robert Nelson and even Morris Claiborne could see time at slot corner Sunday.
FINES: Linebacker Darron Lee was fined $36,464 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Jay Cutler last week and an additional $9,115 for a separate facemask. Wide receiver Robby Anderson was fined $12,154 for throwing his helmet on the second-to-last play of the loss to the Dolphins.
— Popper