Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets

In the NFL, injuries are inevitable—but a team’s ability to adapt through strategic adjustments often separates contenders from also-rans. For the New York Jets, a wave of midseason injuries to key players—including star running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Elijah Moore, and offensive tackle Mekhi Becton—could have derailed their season. Instead, head coach Robert Saleh and his staff implemented targeted adjustments across offense, defense, and special teams, turning potential weaknesses into unexpected strengths. These changes didn’t just keep the Jets in the playoff hunt; they revealed a level of tactical flexibility that has become a hallmark of their late-season resurgence. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets isn’t just about reacting to setbacks; it’s about how intentional, data-driven tweaks can transform a team’s trajectory.

Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets begins with the offense’s shift to a “hybrid run-pass attack” following Hall’s knee injury, which balanced workload and maximized backup talent. Hall, who had accounted for 45% of the Jets’ rushing yards before Week 10, was replaced by a committee of Michael Carter and Israel Abanikanda—but the coaching staff didn’t stop at a simple rotation. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett redesigned the run game to play to each backup’s strengths: Carter, a patient runner with strong pass-blocking skills, handled short-yardage and third-down situations (converting 7 of 9 third-and-1 attempts), while Abanikanda, a speedster with breakaway ability, took on stretch runs and end-around plays (averaging 6.1 yards per carry in Weeks 11–14). To complement the run, Hackett added more “play-action passes” off committee runs—exploiting defenses that overcommitted to stop the run. The result? The Jets averaged 128 rushing yards per game during Hall’s absence (up from 112 when he was healthy) and saw quarterback Zach Wilson’s passer rating jump 15 points, thanks to more open receivers from play-action fakes. “We didn’t just replace Hall—we reimagined how our run game could create opportunities for everyone,” Hackett said. “The committee approach kept defenses guessing, and the play-action gave Zach easier throws. It turned a setback into a more dynamic offense.”

A second critical adjustment in Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets is the defense’s shift to a “nickel-heavy” formation after losing starting safety Lamarcus Joyner to a hamstring injury. Joyner, a versatile safety who split time between deep coverage and box responsibilities, left a gap in the secondary—but defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich turned to a solution already on the roster: promoting nickel corner Michael Carter II to a hybrid safety-nickel role. Carter II, who had excelled in slot coverage (allowing just a 58% completion rate), was tasked with covering tight ends and slot receivers in coverage while also stepping into the box to stop the run on early downs. Ulbrich also added more blitzes from linebacker Quincy Williams—using the nickel formation’s extra defensive back to cover passing lanes while Williams rushed the quarterback. The adjustment paid off: during Joyner’s four-game absence, the Jets held opponents to 20 or fewer points three times, forced 5 turnovers, and saw Carter II record 2 interceptions (including a game-sealing pick against the Los Angeles Rams). “Losing Joyner forced us to think differently about our secondary,” Ulbrich said. “Carter II’s versatility let us keep our pass coverage strong while still stopping the run. It’s a perfect example of how adjustments can turn a loss into a chance to showcase hidden talent.”

Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets also includes the offensive line’s shift to “simplified blocking schemes” following Becton’s ankle injury—a tweak that stabilized pass protection for the New York Jets. Becton, the Jets’ starting left tackle, was replaced by backup Cedric Ogbuehi in Week 9—and initially, the line struggled: Ogbuehi allowed 3 sacks in his first two starts, and Zach Wilson was under constant pressure. To fix this, offensive line coach John Benton simplified blocking assignments: he replaced complex zone-blocking schemes with straightforward man-to-man blocking (reducing confusion for Ogbuehi), added extra tight ends or running backs to block on passing plays (providing Ogbuehi with help against elite edge rushers), and called more quick passes to get the ball out of Wilson’s hands faster. The changes worked: over the next five games, Ogbuehi allowed just 1 sack, Wilson was sacked 5 fewer times, and the Jets’ rushing attack remained consistent (averaging 122 yards per game). “Simplifying didn’t mean dumbing down the offense—it meant playing to our backup’s strengths,” Benton said. “Ogbuehi is a solid blocker when he knows exactly what’s expected, and the extra help let him focus on his assignment rather than overthinking. For the New York Jets, this adjustment was about protecting our quarterback and keeping our offense on track—something we couldn’t afford to lose with a playoff spot on the line.”

Another key adjustment in Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets is the special teams’ shift to a “return-by-committee” approach after losing primary kickoff returner Braxton Berrios to a shoulder injury—boosting field position for the New York Jets. Berrios, who averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return, was replaced by a rotation of running back Michael Carter and wide receiver Jason Brownlee. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer tailored return schemes to each player: Carter, a more physical runner, was used on short kickoffs to break tackles and gain quick yardage, while Brownlee, a faster deep threat, handled deep kickoffs to chase long returns. Boyer also adjusted the blocking unit, adding an extra lineman to create bigger lanes for Carter and Brownlee. The results were immediate: during Berrios’ absence, the Jets’ average kickoff return yardage increased to 26.3 yards (up from 24.1), with Brownlee recording a 45-yard return in Week 16 that set up a game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks. “Special teams is all about maximizing talent, even when your top guy is out,” Boyer said. “Carter and Brownlee bring different skills, and we designed our schemes to let them shine. For the New York Jets, better field position from returns means our offense starts closer to the end zone—and that’s a huge advantage in close games.”

Finally, Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets wraps up with how these adjustments have become permanent parts of the Jets’ identity—and why they’ll shape their future. Even as injured players like Hall and Moore returned in late December, Saleh and his staff kept many of the tweaks: the run-pass hybrid attack, nickel-heavy defense, and simplified blocking schemes all remained, blending with the team’s original strategies to create a more versatile, unpredictable unit. This flexibility was key to the Jets’ three-game winning streak, which pushed them to 8-7 and kept their playoff hopes alive. “Injuries forced us to grow as a team,” Saleh said. “We learned we don’t have to rely on one player or one scheme—we have depth and talent across the roster, and our adjustments let us showcase that. For the New York Jets, this isn’t just about getting through a tough stretch; it’s about building a team that can adapt to any challenge, now and in the future.” The adjustments have also boosted team morale: backups who once saw limited snaps now feel valued, and starters have embraced the new schemes as ways to make the team stronger. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the New York Jets ultimately reveals that in the NFL, setbacks can be blessings in disguise—if a team has the vision to adjust, the trust in its players, and the resilience to keep fighting. For the Jets, that combination has turned a potentially lost season into a chance to prove they’re built to compete.