The New York Jets’ London trip to face off against the Denver Broncos was meant to be a fresh start. A chance to turn the page on a tough 0-5 start to their 2025 season. But as head coach Aaron Glenn revealed in his latest injury update, the Jets face new hurdles that threaten to deepen their struggles. With key players sidelined, the team’s journey toward its first win feels steeper than ever.

In a London presser, Aaron Glenn confirmed that veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard will miss the Week 6 clash for personal reasons, electing not to travel with the team. Adding to the Jets’ woes, cornerback Michael Carter II is likely to miss his second game in a row. After landing on the concussion protocol in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, Carter has yet to clear the protocol.

Lazard’s absence leaves the Jets dangerously thin at the receiver position, with just four WRs active on the 53-man roster. Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Arian Smith, and Tyler Johnson hold down the fort. This scarcity could lead the Jets to look toward practice squad promotions. Isaiah Williams, recently re-signed after a brief release, is a prime candidate to step into an expanded role.

Lazard’s limited impact this season (just four catches for 24 yards and a touchdown), has given other stars a shot at the spotlight. Still, his absence will be significant. His experience and presence add value beyond just the stat line, and the Jets will hope for his swift return to bolster an already struggling offense.

Carter, the starting slot cornerback, has already battled injuries and inconsistencies before his concussion. His absence has forced defensive adjustments. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. looks set to fill the void in the slot corner role, but the defense’s stability faces a serious test without Carter. 

On the flip-side, Glenn remains cautiously optimistic about other players. The coach noted that linebacker Jermaine Johnson is “day-to-day” but likely to play, which would be a much-needed boost to the Jets’ defense. Kick returner Kene Nwangwu is also day-to-day, adding to an injury picture that remains fragile, but hopeful.

There’s another cause for optimism, at least from Aaron Glenn’s perspective. While he’s still seeking his first win as a head coach, he’s visibly impressed with how the offense has turned out.

Aaron Glenn addresses offensive perceptions

Through the five weeks of this season, a narrative has built up that starting quarterback Justin Fields’ passing statistics (71 of 106 for 754 yds and 4 TDs) are merely the byproduct of late-game yardage. But Aaron Glenn disagreed and made a strong statement to counter that narrative:

“I understand from the outside that people want to say we’re getting yards because teams are (letting us). No. Teams play in this league. Nobody wants to just give up yards. I do think we get into a situation where we start to get in a groove, and that’s any quarterback. Justin has been getting in a groove in those situations … I have no issues with where we’re at in the passing game.”

While Glenn praised the offense under Justin Fields, the defensive woes have not gone unnoticed by the head coach. As he further added:

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job of starting fast. Defense we haven’t done a good job at that. – I’m happy with how the offense has started.”

Post Week 5, the Jets’ defense ranks 31st in the league in terms of scoring defense, with an average of 31.4 points per game. For Aaron Glenn & Co., the immediate challenge is navigating a Week 6 game without Lazard and Carter. Beyond that, maintaining offensive momentum while shoring up defensive gaps will be crucial. The running question now: can they do it?