Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard will be active for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, per head coach Robert Saleh Wednesday.
Lazard was inactive for Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins, not even knowing he would be benched until Wednesday. This just 11 games after signing a four-year, $44 million contract this offseason, including $22 million guaranteed.
Lazard has caught just 20 passes for 290 yards this season, both fourth in the team behind Garrett Wilson, Tyler Conklin and Breece Hall. Saleh said Lazard wasn’t playing up to standards which led to his benching, a decision that caught Lazard off-guard. Lazard did come to terms with the benching.
“After talking to [Saleh], I can see his reasoning for art and everything,” Lazard said. “It is what it is. Gotta continue just working to get better and keep improving.”
Lazard being out meant more snaps for undrafted rookies Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson. Brownlee played all but one snap against the Dolphins (57/58); Gipson played 42 out of 58.
The Jets started touting a youth movement on offense. Sunday will be another look into that movement with Lazard coming back into the lineup. The Jets are looking for kind of spark they can find on offense as they try to keep their very faint playoff hopes alive and give Aaron Rodgers, who had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, a reason to return to action.