O, boy! Jets will start two new on line in front of Sam
Sam Darnold will be operating behind a re-configured offensive line against the Colts this weekend thanks to a pair of injuries to center Connor McGovern and right tackle George Fant. McGovern, who suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s blowout loss to the 49ers, might be available in an emergency situation. Fant won’t be available in any capacity after suffering a concussion in practice Wednesday.
Josh Andrews, who replaced McGovern last week, is in line for his first career start in six seasons. Chuma Edoga, who started eight games as a rookie, will replace Fant.
“I feel comfortable with him out there,” Adam Gase said of Edoga on Friday. “I feel like he has a better feel for the game as a whole. He’s on the side that knows well. I know (Darnold) trusts him. Obviously, he’s been blocking for him for a while (dating back to USC). So, I expect him to play better than he did last year and expect him to play well.”
Edoga had his fair share of struggles last season, but seemed more comfortable at right tackle.
“From Year One to Year Two, it’s night and day,” Gase said of Edoga’s progress. “You know what to expect. You know how to handle things. You understand the calls. You understand the system. You understand why you’re doing everything.”
One year after shuffling plenty of bodies along the line, the Jets will have their second combination in the first three weeks. McGovern and Fant were added during free agency to provide stability. Andrews played the final 19 snaps against the 49ers, it’s never ideal for a young quarterback to be changing centers. Darnold has worked with five centers in 28 career games.
McGovern was expected toprovide long-term assistance for the young signal caller.
PRODUCTIVE PRACTICE
Gase maintained that he was happy with practices this week in the wake of veterans Bradley McDougald and Avery Williamson speaking out against perceived sluggishness during the work week.
“I really was impressed [Thursday] on both sides of the ball,” Gase said. “Guys were doing a good job of taking the meetings and applying it on the field. Going out there and practicing at the tempo we need them to practice at. Guys did a good job this week. It’s all about, hey can we take it to the field on Sunday?”
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams made it clear he doesn’t believe his unit doesn’t give 100% during practice.
“We only have — defensively with me— wherever I’ve been,two tempos. And that’s ‘walkthrough’ and ‘go,’” Williams said Friday. “We don’t do three-fourths. We don’t do half speed. We don’t do two-eighths. We don’t do quarters. We don’t do five-16ths. And if it’s not ‘go,’ you stand by me or they become y ’all’ s intern. That’s how it is. That’s how we practice on defense.”
“Those guys, whether it was misunderstood or whatever, are taking ownership,” Williams continued. “Especially after a game. They’re taking ownership just like we all take ownership. Me first. Then them. But we practice very hard. It’s shocking when other people… (have) been allowed to do certain things a certain way (at) other places. And that’s not what we do here.”
NOT ON INJURED RESERVE
Although wide receivers Breshad Perriman (ankle) and Jamison Crowder (hamstring) are out for Sunday’s road game, Gase said that neither is a candidate for Injured Reserve.
Cornerback Quincy Wilson progressed into the next phase of the concussion protocol. Gase remained noncommittal whether veteran Joe Flacco, who practiced fully this week for the first time, will be active to be Darnold’s backup. Mike White was the No. 2 signal caller in the first two games.
Wide receiver Braxton Berrios is listed as questionable on the injury report after tweaking his hamstring on Friday.
COLTS BANGED UP
The Jets aren’t the only ones banged up. The Colts will be without Week 1 starters RB Marlon Mack (season-ending Achilles injury), WR Parris Campbell (knee), S Malik Hooker (season-ending Achilles injury) and CB Rock Ya-Sin (undisclosed). Starting tight end Jack Doyle (ankle) is questionable after practicing on Friday.