The cornerback hits keep on coming for the Jets this week. The team announced on Thursday that slot cornerback Brian Poole is having season-ending shoulder surgery.
On Tuesday, the Jets had already placed Poole on the team’s injured reserve list. Poole had also been dealing with a knee injury as of late.
Despite all the struggles Gang Green has had in 2020, Poole had been one of a few bright spots. Along with his two interceptions, sack, and seven passes defended this season, Pro Football Focus was very high on him. The football analytics outlet graded Poole as the seventh-best cornerback in the NFL through 10 games, giving him a 77.1 overall grade. Poole had played 77 percent of the Jets’ snaps on defense in 2020.
Poole signed a one-year deal with the Jets this past offseason worth $5 million. The 28-year-old will hit free agency after this season.
Along with the latest on Poole, New York’s cornerback room has taken other knocks. Cornerback Pierre Desire was also released on Tuesday. He was only nine games into a one-year deal he signed. Jets head coach Adam Gase said on Wednesday Desir was cut to give younger guys more playing time down the stretch.
Among such players would be Bless Austin, who’s also currently dealing with a neck injury himself. If Austin can’t play in Week 11 against the Chargers, the Jets’ depth chart would include rookies Bruce Hall, Lamar Jackson, Jav Guidry, along with Arthur Maulet and the recently signed Corey Ballentine. Maulet would be the most likely replacement for Poole in the slot.
[lawrence-related id=648710,648674,648712,648685]