As if the Jets didn’t face a big enough challenge in facing the 5-2 Chiefs Sunday in Kansas City, they’ll also be without Garrett Wilson.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Friday the wide receiver would be out for the 2-6 Jets after being put in concussion protocol following Sunday’s loss to the Raiders.
Wilson’s lack of targets has been the subject of significant consternation with the Jets this season, as he’s been targeted just 7.8 times per game, the lowest since his rookie year, but he still leads the team with 43 receptions, 527 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think it speaks for itself,’’ Glenn said of the blow to the offense the loss of Wilson creates. “Any time you lose a player of that magnitude, it’s always tough. But we do have other players. Those guys will look forward to the challenge.”
That includes Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr.
Mitchell is coming off a career-best game against Las Vegas, as he finished the loss with seven catches, 142 yards and a touchdown.
Cooper has impressed as a rookie since coming back from an ankle injury, but he didn’t catch any passes last Sunday after topping the 100-yard mark in each of the team’s previous two games against New England and Miami.
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Thursday, “In one respect, you can’t replace Garrett Wilson. He’s a unique player. But on the other hand, we’re not afraid. We saw the game [Mitchell] had. We saw the game [Cooper] had. We have a lot of confidence in our guys. They’re different players, so maybe you do slightly different things… You have to play to your players’ strengths.”
