Jets’ Doctson joins list of 66 to opt out

receiver Josh Doctson became the third Jets player to opt out of the 2020 season before the league’s Thursday afternoon deadline. Doctson joins linebacker C.J. Mosley and reserve offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi among a group of 66 players leaguewide.

Doctson, who signed a oneyear, $825,000 deal in the offseason, spent most of last year on the Vikings injured reserve list. He spent three disappointing seasons with Washington (81 receptions for 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns) after being a 2016 first-round pick.

The Jets could bring back Demaryius Thomas, who is a favorite of Adam Gase (like Frank Gore), if they want to supplement the wide receiver room with a cheap veteran.

A total of 66 players have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly half of them linemen.

Twenty offensive linemen and 11 on defense opted out. Players with a medical opt-out will receive a $350,000 stipend, while those voluntarily opting out receive $150,000 as an advance against future salaries.

No team has come close to New England in losing players for the upcoming season. The Patriots, saw eight opt-outs: running back Brandon Bolden, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, safety Patrick Chung, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, tight end Matt LaCosse, wide receiver Marqise Lee, offensive lineman Najee Toran and fullback Dan Vitale.

Cleveland was next with five players skipping the season: defensive tackle Andrew Billings, tackle Drake Dorbeck and guards Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett, and Malcolm Pridgeon.

Only three teams had no one opting out: the Steelers, Falcons and Chargers.

“Those are not easy decisions to make as a player, especially when you love the game,” said Broncos safety Justin Simmons, who will play this season. “But family will always come first. And I’ve had a lot of difficult conversations with my wife and, yeah, it’s not ever going to be easy.”