Maye, Enunwa could be out for few weeks with injuries
NEW YORK >> The Jets could be without two of their top playmakers on offense and defense for a while.
Safety Marcus Maye has a broken right thumb that could sideline him for a few weeks, and leading wide receiver Quincy Enunwa has a sprained right ankle.
Maye was injured in the third quarter of New York’s 42-34 win over Indianapolis on Sunday. He was seen wearing a cast on his right hand after the game.
Coach Todd Bowles had no immediate update on Maye’s status during a conference call Monday. Terrence Brooks filled in for Maye opposite Jamal Adams against the Colts. The Jets also have Doug Middleton at the safety spot.
Rontez Miles is on the physically unable to perform list and eligible to begin practicing, but Bowles was not sure if the veteran safety would do so this week.
Maye’s injury is the latest to a Jets secondary that is already without cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (quadriceps) and Buster Skrine (concussion).
The Jets also have some concerns at the wide receiver position with Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor (groin) leaving the game against the Colts with injuries.
The New York Daily News reported Monday that Enunwa has a high ankle sprain, which would mean he would be out a few weeks.
Enunwa has established himself early as Sam Darnold’s favorite target, leading the Jets with 22 receptions and 287 yards receiving with one touchdown. The veteran receiver had just one catch for 9 yards — and was injured on the play in the second quarter when he had the ball knocked out of his hands by Darius Leonard. Al-Quadin Muhammad recovered for the Colts, and Enunwa limped off the field in noticeable pain.
Enunwa was seen leaving the stadium wearing a walking boot on his right foot after the game.
Bowles had no immediate update on the status of Pryor, who tweaked his groin against the Colts. Pryor had five catches for 57 yards, including a go-ahead 7-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Kacy Returns
The Jets’ defense is getting its leader back.
Bowles announced Monday that defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers is returning to work this week after missing the past two games while dealing with an unspecified illness.
“He’s been cleared and he should be ready to go,” Bowles said during a conference call. “We’ll ease him in slowly depending on how he feels, but he’s doing a lot better.”
Bowles added that Rodgers will coach Sunday in the Jets’ game against Minnesota, but said it’s uncertain to know so early in the week if Rodgers will call the defensive plays. Bowles has run the defense the past two weeks, victories over Denver and Indianapolis.
The 49-year-old Rodgers was at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the win over the Colts and broke down the team huddle in the locker room after the game.
“He’s a great spirit,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “He’s a great coach. For me, it’s always awesome to see a guy come back, especially with all the things that he’s been through in the past few weeks. He gets to come back to the game that he loves. As long as he has health, that’s all that matters.”