FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ahead of their home opener Sunday against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers' formidable pass-heavy offense.
Coach Aaron Glenn announced Friday that Fitzpatrick, who is dealing with a groin injury suffered on the Jets' sixth defensive play of their win at Tennessee, would sit out against Green Bay, as expected, along with edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot), rookie wide
receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) and running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (back).
Glenn had said earlier in the week that all four are “week to week” with their injuries.
Fitzpatrick's absence is particularly notable this week with the Jets facing the Packers after Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota last Sunday. Green Bay had a fourth-quarter collapse en route to its sixth straight defeat, dating to last season, but the offense showed early it can be productive.
Meanwhile, the Jets are still looking for their first interception since the 2024 season finale, an NFL-record drought of 18 games.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge, our guys know it’s going to be a challenge, coaching staff knows it’s going to be a challenge, but that’s how this league is, and we understand that,” Glenn said. “Every week it’s something new and you never know how these games are going to turn out. So we’re excited to go out and put up a good showing at our first home game of this year for our fans.”
Andre Cisco, a starter last season, is expected to see playing time in Fitzpatrick’s absence opposite Dane Belton.
New York's secondary did get some good news as rookie cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, a second-round pick, is in line to make his NFL debut. Ponds missed nearly all of training camp and the season opener with a calf injury.
The former Indiana standout could have a major role in the defense as part of the nickel package.
“Our trainers have done an outstanding job of getting him ready to go and he’s been in the meetings, so he’s understanding exactly what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “The thing is, and I’ve always said this, just the time on task of actually out there doing it, that’s what’s somewhat different. We’ll see exactly how this week ends up and see how that goes.”
Cooper, a first-rounder, started last week and had a 30-yard catch-and-run to set up a touchdown on New York's opening drive, but he sprained an ankle and didn't return.
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith are the healthy wide receivers on the Jets' active roster, and Glenn said the team was still evaluating what it'll do at the position for the game. New York signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad earlier this week, and one could be elevated Saturday to play against the Packers.
Jason Sanders will remain the Jets' kicker this week after bouncing back from a rough start in the opener.
The former Dolphins star was elevated from the practice squad and got the start at Tennessee ahead of Blake Grupe, who is on the active roster. Sanders made a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter but then missed badly on a 54-yard attempt.
He later made field goals of 51 and 52 yards and converted his two extra-point tries.
“I thought it was critical to see him go through that miss and then be able to come back and make, I think it was two 50-something yarders, which I thought was impressive,” Glenn said. “He did a good job and I like the way that he fought back ending up making those field goals.”
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