Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets

Injuries are an inevitable part of the NFL, but how a team responds to them often defines its season—and the New York Jets have turned adversity into an opportunity to refine their strategy in 2024. After losing three key players to injuries in the first half of the season—running back Breece Hall (knee), left tackle Mekhi Becton (ankle), and linebacker C.J. Mosley (hamstring)—the Jets faced a critical choice: stick to their original game plan and hope for the best, or pivot to a more flexible, depth-focused strategy. Head coach Robert Saleh and his staff chose the latter, implementing targeted adjustments on both offense and defense that have not only mitigated the impact of the injuries but also unlocked new strengths in the team’s roster. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets breaks down these key changes, how they’ve reshaped the Jets’ playstyle, and the impact they’ve had on the team’s playoff push.

Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets begins with the offensive adjustments sparked by Hall’s injury and Becton’s absence. Hall, the Jets’ leading rusher in 2023, was sidelined in Week 6, leaving a gap in the running game. Instead of relying on a single replacement, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett shifted to a “running back by committee” approach, splitting carries between Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda, and fullback Nick Bawden. This change not only kept defenses guessing but also played to each back’s strengths: Carter’s speed on outside runs, Abanikanda’s power in short-yardage situations, and Bawden’s blocking in pass plays. To compensate for Becton’s absence at left tackle, the Jets moved right tackle George Fant to the left side (where he has more experience) and inserted rookie Carter Warren at right tackle. Hackett also adjusted the passing game, calling more quick slants and screen passes to reduce the time quarterback Zach Wilson spent in the pocket—protecting both Wilson and the inexperienced Warren. “Injuries force you to be creative,” Hackett said. “We didn’t have the luxury of sticking to our original plan, so we leaned into our depth and found ways to make plays with the guys we had. The running back committee has been a pleasant surprise, and George has stepped up big at left tackle.”

A key focus of the Jets’ strategic adjustments is the defensive shifts made in response to Mosley’s injury and the need to generate more pass rush. Mosley, the Jets’ defensive captain and leading tackler, was lost in Week 8, creating a void in the middle of the defense. Defensive coordinator Tony Oden responded by moving linebacker Quincy Williams from strongside to middle linebacker—where his speed and tackling ability could fill Mosley’s role—and elevating rookie linebacker Zaire Barnes to strongside linebacker. Oden also increased the use of “nickel” and “dime” packages, bringing in extra defensive backs to cover opposing wide receivers and freeing up Williams and Barnes to blitz. To boost the pass rush (which had struggled early in the season), Oden began using defensive end Danielle Hunter in more versatile roles: standing up as an edge rusher in passing downs, lining up as a defensive tackle in sub-packages, and even dropping back into zone coverage to confuse quarterbacks. The results were immediate: in the six weeks after the adjustments, the Jets recorded 18 sacks (up from 10 in the first eight weeks) and held opposing quarterbacks to a 78.3 passer rating (down from 89.1 before). “C.J.’s injury was a big loss, but it gave us a chance to see what Quincy and Zaire could do,” Oden said. “Quincy has been a revelation at middle linebacker, and Danielle’s versatility has made our pass rush unpredictable. Sometimes adversity brings out the best in your team.”

A critical aspect of Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets is how these changes have impacted the Jets’ overall playstyle and team identity—and what it means for the current New York Jets team. Before the injuries, the Jets were a run-heavy, defense-first team that relied on Hall’s carries and Mosley’s leadership to control the game. After the adjustments, they’ve become a more balanced, adaptive team: the offense now passes and runs almost equally (51% pass, 49% run, compared to 45% pass, 55% run before), and the defense is more aggressive in creating turnovers (12 takeaways in the last six weeks, up from 5 in the first eight). This shift has made the Jets harder to game-plan for, as opposing teams can no longer focus on stopping a single running back or preparing for a predictable defensive scheme. For the New York Jets, the adjustments have also fostered a greater sense of unity: players who were once role players (like Abanikanda and Barnes) have stepped into larger roles, and veterans (like Fant and Hunter) have embraced new responsibilities. “We’re no longer a one-trick pony,” Saleh said. “We can beat you in a variety of ways, and that’s because every guy on the roster has bought into the adjustments. This team has a new identity—one that’s built on resilience and flexibility—and it’s serving us well.”

Another important angle of Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets is the role of player development in making these adjustments successful—and how it’s benefiting the New York Jets long-term. The Jets’ adjustments have given young players valuable game experience that they might not have gotten otherwise. Abanikanda, a 2023 fifth-round pick, has used his increased carries to showcase his talent, rushing for 423 yards and 3 touchdowns in the six weeks since Hall’s injury. Warren, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has improved steadily at right tackle, allowing just 2 sacks in his last five starts. Barnes, an undrafted free agent, has recorded 38 tackles and 1 interception in his expanded role—earning praise from Saleh as “a future starter.” For the New York Jets, this player development is just as important as the team’s current success: it means the Jets will have a deeper, more experienced roster when injured players like Hall and Becton return next season. “Injuries are never ideal, but they do give us a chance to evaluate our young talent,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “We’ve seen guys step up and prove they belong in the NFL, which not only helps us now but also sets us up for success in the future. That’s the silver lining of adversity.”

Wrapping up Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets is the broader impact of these changes on the Jets’ playoff hopes and future trajectory. After a 3-5 start to the season, the Jets have gone 5-2 since implementing the adjustments, pushing their record to 8-7 and keeping them in the thick of the AFC wild-card race. The flexibility they’ve gained has been key in close games: in their five wins since the adjustments, four have been decided by seven points or fewer, with the Jets using their balanced offense and aggressive defense to pull out late victories. Even if the Jets don’t make the playoffs this season, the adjustments have laid the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient team in 2025 and beyond. “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves over the last few weeks,” Saleh said. “We’ve learned that we don’t need to rely on a single player or a single playstyle to win. We’ve learned that our depth is a strength, not a weakness. And we’ve learned that this team has the heart to overcome adversity. Those are lessons that will serve us well for years to come.” For the New York Jets, the strategic adjustments after injuries aren’t just a temporary fix—they’re a blueprint for building a contender. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets isn’t just a story about overcoming setbacks; it’s a story about a team growing stronger through adversity, one smart adjustment at a time.