This has been a tough season for the New York Jets. While they kicked off the pre-season with a win, things have not gone their way ever since. With seven straight losses this season, the Jets are hoping to get on the win column in Week 8. But it looks like things are not in the Jets’ favor this season. The team suffered three injuries days before their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jets Legend Joe Namath is now scratching his head as his team heads to Cincinnati.

Last week, the Jets’ Head Coach, Aaron Glenn, made the announcement that his Quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, will not be playing against the Bengals due to a knee injury. In the three games that Taylor was a part of, he got 379 passing yards with three touchdowns. At the same time, he also threw a total of three interceptions and was sacked nine times.

Adding to Taylor, WR Josh Reynolds (five games played, 101 receiving yards) is also on the injury reserve with a hip injury. Not only the offensive line, but the defensive line also has some key names on the injured list. LB Cam Jones (six games played, four total tackles) is on the injury reserve following a hip injury.

Upon hearing the tragic news of multiple injuries, Joe Namath is unsure about how his team will fare the rest of the season. At the same time, he is a bit optimistic and hopes the offensive line performs much better from Week 8.

It is safe to say that throughout this season, the Jets’ offensive line could have performed better. In the seven games they have played so far, the team has only been able to score 12 touchdowns. Out of the 433 offensive plays, the team has been able to get 2,119 yards. The defensive line has not fared well either. While they managed to get 10 sacks, the team has given away 18 touchdowns and 2,348 passing yards.

And the Jets’ offense is suddenly even worse. Their best receiver, Garrett Wilson, went down in Week 6 with a knee injury and hasn’t seen the practice field since. When Coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Wilson would miss another game, it marked a first for the young star: two straight weeks ruled out. That alone tells you how serious this is. And losing Garrett Wilson stings badly.

Wilson still leads New York with 36 catches, 395 yards, and four touchdowns. His impact score sits at 75.6 (a C grade), ranking him 39th among NFL wideouts. That tells you just how central he’s been to this offense. Then there’s Josh Reynolds. He’s caught 11 passes for 101 yards in five games, earning a 63.3 grade. Not stellar, but his absence still leaves another hole to fill. With both starters out, the Jets now have to piece together a receiving group to face a Bengals defense that, thankfully, hasn’t exactly been elite against the pass.

Arian Smith, fresh out of Georgia, will likely be thrown into the fire. He’s only caught five passes this season, but he was electric in college, a blur who could stretch defenses thin. Then there’s Tyler Johnson, a name most fans might skim over, but he’s been in the league long enough to know what desperation looks like. Seven catches so far, yet his history says he can deliver when the playbook gets thin. Allen Lazard, the veteran of the room, might not move like he used to, but experience is its own kind of speed. And if Isaiah Williams finally gets to step on the field, well, the Jets could use a little bit of beginner’s luck right about now.

With any luck, Wilson and Reynolds will return in time for Cleveland. Until then, the Jets’ offense will be improvising, building plays out of hope, rhythm, and whoever’s left standing. Adding to the aforementioned injuries, LB Quincy Williams has a shoulder injury, and RB Breece Hall is suffering from a knee injury. Their status for the Bengals games is still questionable. Other players who will be missing this Sunday’s game are DT Jay Tufele, RB Kebe Nwangwu, TE Stone Smartt, CB Sauce Gardner, and WR Garrett Wilson.

Injuries ruin New York Jets HC Aaron Glenn’s mind games ahead of the Bengals game

With multiple quarterbacks suffering injuries, the question does arise. Who will be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets? When speaking to the media, Glenn refused to answer the question, stating that he does not want to share it with the media for a ‘competitive advantage’. However, the decision has basically made itself now.

Injuries have tarnished Glenn’s strategy. Since Tyrod Taylor is out with an injury, Justin Fields will be starting in Week 8 against the Bengals because, frankly, there’s no one else left to call.

At the same time, Glenn did share that rookie CB Azareye’h Thomas will be starting alongside Brandon Stephens this week. “[I] like his progression as far as getting in the games. They’ve always been in the situation where if somebody gets hurt. He has to go in there, and he has to play. I thought he’s done a pretty good job of that,” Aaron Glenn said. [H/T nydailynews.com]

Glenn is also looking forward to seeing the rookie progress in his career with the Jets.

Do you think the Jets can finally get a win this Sunday?