One in all the surprising statistics from Monday’s rousing additional time win over the Bills was the playing time for considered one of the Jets’ offseason imports.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who scored 16 touchdowns over the previous 4 seasons with the Chiefs, played zero offensive snaps and one on special teams within the Jets’ 22-16 victory.
Asked before Wednesday’s practice what led to that call, coach Robert Saleh said the Jets shifted to several sets using two or three tight ends after an injured Aaron Rodgers was replaced at quarterback by Zach Wilson 4 plays into the sport.
“Obviously with Aaron, there was a certain plan that was in place, and so when Aaron went down, we shifted gears to a distinct variety of football,” Saleh said. “A variety of the things that Aaron desired to do were three-receiver sets, and once he was out of the sport, we went to a distinct sort of offense.
“We pivoted, especially at halftime. Credit to the offensive staff making the adjustments we wanted to make to have the ability to begin moving the ball and get points on the board. So, that wasn’t the plan. The plan was to present him some play time. So, hopefully this week we will get him on the market.”
Saleh said he expects defensive end Carl Lawson to play Sunday against the Cowboys after he was inactive for the Bills game with a back injury.
“Needless to say. Anticipating him being up this week,” Saleh said. “With it being a brief week, the time he had off with regard to coping with the back injury, I felt like our Friday practice was somewhat on the high side with the physicality and just didn’t think it’d be an excellent idea to practice him, play a game, short week, play one other game with the period of time he had off.
“So, this may be Week 1 for him.”
Jets safety Jordan Whitehead was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three interceptions of Josh Allen in Monday’s win over the Bills.
He already has earned a $250,000 bonus for recording a minimum of three interceptions for the season.
Xavier Gipson, who ripped off a game-winning punt return for a touchdown in additional time, was named the AFC special teams Player of the Week.
Offensive tackles Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton and running back Breece Hall were limited in practice.
