Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets

As the New York Jets push through the grueling middle stretch of the NFL season, a wave of injuries and unexpected absences has put their roster depth to its toughest test yet. What began as a few isolated setbacks—including a knee sprain for left tackle Mekhi Becton and a hamstring strain for wide receiver Mecole Hardman—has snowballed into a depth crisis across multiple position groups, forcing the Jets to rely on practice squad call-ups and unproven backups in high-stakes games. For a team fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, this test of depth isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s about maintaining competitiveness and avoiding a collapse that could derail their season. Every snap from a backup player now carries extra weight, as the Jets balance short-term wins with the need to protect their remaining healthy stars. Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets explores how the team is navigating these hurdles, the performance of its depth players, and what the stretch of challenges means for their playoff aspirations.

The most pressing depth concern has hit the Jets’ wide receiver corps, which has been decimated by injuries and departures. After losing Hardman to a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9, the Jets then saw Corey Davis land on injured reserve with a knee issue just two weeks later—leaving Aaron Rodgers with a depleted group of pass catchers. The team has turned to third-year receiver Jeff Smith and practice squad call-up Josh Bellamy to fill the gaps, but both have struggled to match the production of the starters. Smith, who had just 12 career catches entering the season, has recorded 18 receptions for 165 yards in the last four games, but he’s also dropped three critical passes that would have extended drives. Bellamy, a 12-year veteran signed in November, has shown flashes of reliability (catching 6 of 8 targets) but lacks the speed to stretch the field. The absence of proven depth has forced Rodgers to rely heavily on Garrett Wilson, who now faces constant double teams, limiting his impact. NFL analyst Rich Eisen noted, “The Jets’ receiver depth was a question mark entering the season, and injuries have exposed just how thin that group is. Without reliable options beyond Wilson, Rodgers is being forced to make tough choices on every passing play.” Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets frames the receiver corps as the most visible example of the team’s depth struggles.

On the defensive side, the Jets’ defensive line depth has also been tested, as injuries to reserve tackles Jonathan Marshall (knee) and Vinny Curry (shoulder) have left the unit shorthanded behind stars Quinnen Williams and Solomon Thomas. The Jets signed veteran Shelby Harris off free agency in early December to add depth, but Harris—who hadn’t played since Week 4 with the Cleveland Browns—needed time to adjust to the Jets’ scheme. In his first two games with the team, Harris recorded just 2 tackles and looked rusty in run defense, allowing 8 yards on two carries when lined up one-on-one with offensive linemen. The Jets have also been forced to use undrafted rookie Tanzel Smart in rotational snaps, and while Smart has shown effort (recording 1 sack in Week 12), he lacks the size to consistently clog interior running lanes. This depth shortage has forced Williams to play more snaps than the Jets intended—he’s logged over 80% of defensive snaps in the last three games, up from his season average of 72%—increasing the risk of fatigue or injury. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged the challenge, saying, “We’re asking our starters to carry a heavier load right now, and that’s not ideal. We need our depth guys to step up quickly so we can keep everyone fresh for the stretch run.” Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets explores how the defensive line’s depth issues are impacting both short-term performance and long-term injury risk.

For the New York Jets, the depth test has also highlighted the importance of practice squad contributions, as the team has been forced to call up multiple players to fill game-day rosters. In addition to Bellamy, the Jets have leaned on practice squad linebacker Jamien Sherwood (who started in place of the released Kwon Alexander) and offensive lineman Chris Glaser (who served as a backup tackle when Becton was limited). Sherwood, a second-year player, has impressed in his expanded role, recording 15 tackles and 1 pass breakup in two starts, showing the kind of growth the Jets hoped for when they drafted him in 2021. Glaser, meanwhile, played 12 snaps at right tackle in Week 13 and didn’t allow a pressure, a solid performance for a player who had never appeared in an NFL game before this season. These contributions have been a bright spot amid the depth struggles, proving that the Jets’ practice squad has talent worth developing. For the New York Jets, the ability to tap into the practice squad has been a lifeline, preventing even more severe roster shortages. General manager Joe Douglas emphasized the value of the practice squad earlier this month, saying, “We invest a lot of time in building a strong practice squad because we know injuries are inevitable. Having guys who can step in and contribute when called upon is a big part of surviving a long NFL season.” Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets emphasizes how practice squad players have become unexpected heroes for the team.

The New York Jets’ coaching staff has responded to the depth challenges with tactical adjustments designed to hide weaknesses and highlight strengths. On offense, the Jets have simplified their passing game, focusing on short routes and quick releases to reduce the pressure on backup receivers and give Rodgers more time to make decisions. They’ve also increased their use of two-tight end formations, which allow the Jets to use tight ends Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah as additional pass catchers, offsetting the loss of wide receivers. On defense, Ulbrich has shifted to more zone coverage to limit the impact of inexperienced defensive linemen, relying on the Jets’ talented secondary to make plays on the ball. The team has also reduced the number of blitzes, instead using four-man rushes to keep the defensive line fresh and avoid exposing backup players in one-on-one situations. These adjustments have helped the Jets stay competitive—they’ve won two of their last three games despite the depth issues—but they’ve also limited the team’s upside, as the simplified schemes prevent them from taking full advantage of their stars’ talents. For the New York Jets, the balance between adjusting to depth shortages and maintaining offensive and defensive potency is a delicate one. Head coach Robert Saleh summed up the challenge, saying, “We have to be smart about how we use our personnel right now. We can’t put our backup players in positions to fail, but we also can’t hold back so much that we don’t give ourselves a chance to win.” Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets examines how coaching adjustments have helped the Jets navigate their depth crisis.

Finally, the depth test facing the New York Jets will have long-term implications for the team’s roster building, even beyond this season. The performance of backup players like Sherwood, Glaser, and Smith is giving the Jets valuable insight into which players can be trusted as future contributors, helping Douglas and his staff make more informed decisions in free agency and the draft. For example, Sherwood’s strong play could mean the Jets don’t need to sign a veteran linebacker in the offseason, while the struggles of the receiver depth will likely make adding a proven pass catcher a top priority. The depth challenges have also highlighted the importance of drafting for depth, not just starters—a lesson the Jets have learned the hard way this season. While the immediate focus is on making the playoffs, the Jets are also using this stretch of the season to evaluate their roster and identify gaps that need to be filled. For the New York Jets, the current depth crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity: it’s testing their ability to compete under adversity, while also providing clarity on how to build a more resilient roster for the future. Depth Tested Amid Season Challenges for the New York Jets concludes that while the current stretch is tough, it could ultimately make the Jets a stronger, more well-rounded team—both this season and in the years to come.