The New York Jets' run defense has performed below average statistically speaking through the first four weeks of the NFL season, but help is coming soon.
Surrendering 4.6 yards per run play, the Jets rank 20th out of 32 teams thus far.
In its two losses, New York failed to contain the opposing ball carriers in multiple key spots. Virtual unknown Jordan Mason filled in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, rushing for 147 yards in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 win. In Week 4, the Denver Broncos totaled only 60 yards on 25 pass attempts but were able to gain 126 yards on the ground to pull off a 10-9 upset.
The common denominator over the season's first month has been the absence of defensive tackle Leki Fotu. The Jets signed the run stuffer as a free agent this past offseason, but he landed on Injured Reserve at the start of the regular season due to a hamstring injury.
New York head coach Robert Saleh initially suggested that Fotu wouldn't be on IR much longer than the required four-week period. On Monday, Saleh mentioned that the team is exploring the idea of activating Fotu this week.
"We're looking at possibly Leki Fotu, he's the one that's up for discussion," said Saleh, whose team prepares for a Week 5 road trip to London.
The 26-year-old Fotu, a 2020 fourth-round draft pick, made 11 appearances (9 starts) for the 2023 Arizona Cardinals after not missing a game in either the the two prior seasons. He last played in a regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 last year, recording three tackles over 19 defensive snaps.
Fotu's only preseason action with the Jets came as a starter in the opener against the Washington Commanders. He logged 22 defensive snaps and one solo tackle.
In addition to Fotu, the eventual return of linebacker CJ Mosley should provide a boost to the run defense. Although Jamien Sherwood is filling in admirably for the injured Mosley, the grizzled veteran is as good as they come against opposing rushing attacks.
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