New York Jets special teams player Irvin Charles was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season on Wednesday after tearing his ACL in his knee last weekend.
Charles, who was in his third season with the Jets, got injured while covering a punt in the fourth quarter of New York’s 32-26 overtime loss to Miami.
He had been making a name for himself as one of the best special teams players in the league, even being triple-teamed on one play against Seattle two weeks ago. Charles also blocked a punt earlier this season.
“In a very tough, challenging year in a lot of ways, an absolute bright spot for this team,” said interim coach Jeff Ulbrich. “I really believe had he finished the season playing the way he was playing, he would’ve been a shoo-in for (the) Pro Bowl as far as the special teams player is concerned, the core player.”
To fill Charles’ spot, the Jets signed defensive back Jaylin Simpson from the Indianapolis practice squad to the active roster.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner, who missed the game against the Dolphins due to a hamstring injury, is on track to return on Sunday against Jacksonville. The two-time All-Pro selection participated fully in practice on Wednesday and later confirmed that he would play.
New York Jets players celebrate after a touchdown
The status of running back Breece Hall is still unclear because of an MCL injury and hyperextension in his left knee, which kept him out of the Miami game. He did not practice on Wednesday.
“He’s struggling a bit, so we’ll see how he goes this week,” Ulbrich said, adding that Hall had been “playing with a little bit of pain and fighting his way through” it the past few weeks.
“It’s a thing that it’s maybe not improving as much as he’d like at this point,” Ulbrich added.
Rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis did well in filling in for Hall against the Dolphins. Allen rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries, and Davis gained 40 yards on 10 attempts and scored his first rushing touchdown.
Ulbrich said the Jets were still getting information on the injured hand of kick returner Kene Nwangwu, who missed the game after being hurt on Sunday. This injury came just a week after he was named the AFC special teams player of the week for his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Seahawks.
Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is dealing with an ankle injury, but Ulbrich said the Jets are “hopeful” he will be able to play. Edge rusher Haason Reddick has an illness and did not practice.
Right tackle Morgan Moses (wrist), offensive lineman Xavier Newman (groin), and cornerbacks D.J. Reed (groin) and Brandin Echols (shoulder) were limited in practice.