The Jets, as expected, were without their top draft pick and top pass rusher, rookie David Bailey, for Sunday’s game against the Raiders at MetLife Stadium.
Bailey, who’s played all seven games this season but didn’t practice all week with a strained groin injury he suffered in last week’s loss to the Dolphins, has been having an exemplary rookie season.
He leads the team with 5 ½ sacks, nine quarterback hits and seven tackles for losses. He, too, has three forced fumbles and 35 tackles.
Barring Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza replacing veteran starter Kirk Cousins in the game, this means neither of the top two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft would be on the field in this game, with Mendoza going No. 1 overall and Bailey No. 2.
In other Jets roster news, running back Breece Hall was held out for a fifth consecutive game because of the quadriceps injury he suffered in Week 3 against the Lions.
In the three games he played, Hall rushed for 163 yards on 53 carries for a 3.2-yard average and one TD.
He’s been replaced admirably by Braelon Allen, who’s rushed for 418 yards and two TDS on 91 caddies for a 4.6-yard average.
The loss of Bailey, coupled with the fact that the Jets this week placed defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat on injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered last week against Miami, is a blow to the Jets run defense, which was gashed by the Dolphins.
Since Week 3, the Jets entered Sunday’s game having allowed 153 rushing yards per game, which ranked 31st in the NFL in the span.
For the season, the Jets entered Sunday’s game allowing an average of 127.7 rushing yards per game, ranked 24th in the league.
Rookie fourth-round draft pick Darrell Jackson Jr., who’s played well of late, was expected to start in place of Sweat and play an increased role with the defensive line thin.
This week, the Jets, who have already been without David Onyemata (core muscle surgery and placed on IR in Week 3), this week elevated DT Payton Page and Quinton Bell from the practice squad to the regular roster for depth.
