Just about everything that could go wrong offensively did go wrong for the Jets in the first half on Sunday, but the defense was able to keep New York in the game with some big plays.
By the time the third quarter neared an end, though, the Jets were down two key pieces of their secondary. Michael Carter II left in the early minutes with a hamstring injury, and CB Sauce Gardner was forced to exit after a big Vikings play after halftime.
Gardner has had his ups and downs in 2024, struggling against the Titans in Week 2 but bouncing back against the Patriots and Broncos. An anchor of the Jets' defense in only his third season, Gardner is critical to the Jets' hopes of keeping up when the offense isn't clicking.
Here's what you need to know about Gardner's injury and his status going forward.
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Sauce Gardner injury update
Gardner was evaluated for a concussion after colliding with teammate Quincy Williams on a play in the third quarter Sunday. He returned to the game in the fourth quarter after an extended stay on the sideline.
Sauce Gardner #jets
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) October 6, 2024
Gets whacked by his teammate, in the medical tent. Walked off on his own power pic.twitter.com/rbGvBw465I
Jordan Addison caught a pass for 27 yards on the play, and the situation went from bad to worse when Gardner was down on the field and shake up after the collision with Williams.
Gardner was able to walk off the field on his own, but he went directly into the blue medical tent and walked back to the locker room without his helmet. He later walked back to the sideline and watched with his helmet before returning with the Jets down 20-17.
The Jets were already down a key defensive back with Michael Carter II exiting in the early minutes due to a hamstring injury, and Gardner's injury was precisely what New York didn't need in its quest to keep Justin Jefferson and Addison quiet.
Gardner has missed only one game in his NFL career, so the Jets aren't accustomed to playing without him on the field. With no concussion, Gardner appears to be fully on track to play against Buffalo next week.
