The New York Jets' defense has been banged up over the first two weeks of the regular season, and the short turnaround before Game 3 is a challenge in itself.
With starting edge rusher Jermaine Johnson lost for the season due to an Achilles tear, three more Jets' defensive starters are battling injuries ahead of the Thursday Night Football home opener against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
Boundary cornerback DJ Reed, slot cornerback Michael Carter II and linebacker CJ Mosley are all fighting to be available for the September 19 primetime affair. In a positive development, Reed and Carter were upgraded to full participant status on Tuesday's injury report. Mosley, however, was a non-participant for the second day in a row as he deals with a big toe problem.
"Carter, like I said, it's going to be an on and off thing. He's going to be fine. DJ is progressing well and so is CJ," said head coach Robert Saleh prior to Tuesday's practice in Florham Park.
Carter, who was on the shelf for much of training camp, reaggravated his ankle injury during the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. He was healthy enough to start the Week 2 road game against the Tennessee Titans, playing 30 defensive snaps in the 24-17 win.
Reed landed on the injury report last week with knee soreness that led to him missing Game 2. He has missed only two games over his first two full seasons as a Jet.
"With DJ, we had a pregame evaluation. He just wasn't feeling it. Hopefully, we can get him on Thursday," said Saleh one day after the victory.
Backup Brandin Echols, who sees most of his weekly work on special teams, stepped on for Reed on Sunday and picked off a pass in Nashville. Mosley's replacement is 2021 fifth-round draft pick Jamien Sherwood, who looked comfortable making the defensive calls in relief.
Accounting for good news, starting running back Breece Hall, who is dealing with a quadriceps issue, was listed as a full participant for the second day in a row.
"Today, we are going to do a full speed individual, which will kind of tell us a lot about where they're at to get their bodies moving and try to get rid of some of that lactic acid from the game, but it it's a little bit tougher on a short week," said Saleh.
The Jets host the Patriots for an 8:15 pm ET kickoff on September 19 in East Rutherford.
Jets' Week 3 Injury Report
TUESDAY
LB Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) - DNP
LB CJ Mosley (toe) - DNP
OL Tyron Smith (NIR / vet rest) - LP
CB Michael Carter II (ankle) - FP
RB Breece Hall (quadriceps) - FP
CB DJ Reed (knee) - FP
MONDAY
LB Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) - DNP
LB CJ Mosley (toe) - DNP
CB Michael Carter II (ankle) - LP
CB DJ Reed (knee) - LP
OL Tyron Smith (NIR / vet rest) - LP
RB Breece Hall (quadriceps) - FP
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• Forgotten NCAA Division II star seamlessly replaces Jets' Pro Bowl selection
• Aaron Rodgers shares moment with Jets' teammate after Achilles tear
• Jets' veteran compares real deal rookie to All-Pro after two-touchdown day
• Three external options to fill Jermaine Johnson's role on Jets' defense
