In a sport where "the next man up" is a catchphrase -- and a reality -- few units on the Jets have lived with that reality this season more than the defensive backfield.
The lone constant has been CB Brandon Stephens (10 games, 10 starts), who signed with the Jets in free agency and returns to Baltimore for Sunday's game after playing four seasons with the Ravens. But there's been a swirl of changes, injuries and new faces.
S Andre Cisco (torn pectoral muscle) has been ruled out for the season. Slot corner Michael Carter II was traded to Philadelphia, followed by CB Sauce Gardner's trade to Indianapolis. Rookie Azareye'h Thomas, who spotted Gardner after an injury and then stepped in as the starter, is expected to be back after spending time in the concussion protocol. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was obtained in a trade with Tennessee and bounced from slot corner to the outside as needed. Another rookie, S Malachi Moore, has proved to be an able and exciting replacement for Cisco, teaming with Tony Adams.
And then there's Isaiah Oliver, 29, the wily 8-year veteran and the Green & White's Swiss Army Knife in the defensive backfield and steady contributor on special teams. He has appeared in all 10 games this season after playing in the entire 17-game slate last season.
On Sunday in Baltimore, the Jets' defense will face a unique challenge against a Ravens offense that is led by QB Lamar Jackson, RB Derrick Henry, TE Mark Andrews, and WRs Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins.
"We've been rolling, rolling personnel back there pretty much all year, whether it be injuries or guys moving," Oliver said. "We have a really tight knit group back there, just on a personal level, and everyone kind of wants to see everyone succeed. There's a lot of unity, and so we're able to help each other a lot.
"So Brownlee, playing nickel or playing outside corner, has been getting help from other guys in the room [ Qwan'tez Stiggers, for example] to be able to kind of make those transitions. And then myself included, whether I'm at nickel or safety, Malachi did the same thing, nickel and safety. I mean, so we have a lot of versatility back there, and I think that a lot of that comes from help from other guys in the room, for sure."