Tag: D.J. Reed

Jets downgrade starting CB to out vs. Jaguars

Jets downgrade starting CB to out vs. Jaguars

The New York Jets downgraded starting cornerback D.J. Reed, as well as backup center Xavier Newman, from doubtful to out against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, the club announced on Saturday.

Both Reed and Newman were labeled doubtful to play against Jacksonville on New York’s Friday injury report. Reed missed two days of practice this week with a groin injury; Newman missed one and was otherwise limited with a hurt groin, too.

In his third season as a member of New York’s starting secondary, Reed has produced 50 total tackles including two for loss, one sack and 10 defended passes in 11 games this year.

The Jets ruled Reed’s backup, cornerback Brandin Echols, out of Week 15 with a hurt shoulder on Friday. Despite appearing on the injury report with a hamstring injury this week, starting New York cornerback Sauce Gardner will play against Jacksonville.

Jacksonville vs. New York is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

BIlls vs. Jets: QB Josh Allen better check his reads for D.J. Reed

BIlls vs. Jets: QB Josh Allen better check his reads for D.J. Reed

The New York Jets rank No. 1 in opponent pass yards allowed per game and defensive back D. J Reed is a major reason for the season.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen should be careful not to target Reed or all-pro Sauce Gardner in one-on-one situations tonight at Met Life Stadium. While rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman does possess extraordinary attributes, he hasn’t lined up versus a secondary this dynamic in 2024.

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The Bills come into week 6 ranking No. 26 in pass yards per game. Of course Allen is still a handful to deal with, but the Jets have all hands on deck, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The outcome of this week six AFC East rival matchup will come down to which team can force a crucial turnover and/or win field position. Reed and others have their eyes on Allen and that football, and an interim head coach ready to turn things around.

Sauce Gardner continues to stand on business in Jets’ 24-3 Patriots win

Sauce Gardner continues to stand on business in Jets’ 24-3 Patriots win

New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner intimidates opposing NFL quarterbacks by playing terrific man coverage. Gardner’s impact singlehandedly allows defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to blitz at will.



New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett only attempted 18 passes versus the Jets and he didn’t target the wide receiver covered by Gardner often. Brissett’s reluctance, a factor influenced by Gardner, helped lead to sacks by Will McDonald IV, safety Chuck Clark, and Quinnen Williams.

Wide receivers are hardly ever open when Gardner is in coverage and quarterbacks simply aren’t willing to take the risk of throwing in his vicinity.


When Gardner isn’t in coverage, he’s mixing it up, preventing first-downs by making physical open-field tackles, another facet of his defensive prowess.

For Gardner, it isn’t always about making the highlight reel, but about making it difficult for the opposing offense to move the ball, and more importantly, getting off the field on third-downs.

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Aaron Rodgers will help the New York Jets convert on third-down this season

With QB Aaron Rodgers healthy, the New York Jets are unlikely to rank No. 32 in third-down conversion rate like they did in 2023.

The New York Jets ranked No. 32 in the NFL on third-down in 2023. Surely, the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will bring some resolve to their offensive struggles.

The Jets’ defense spent the most time of any NFL team on the field last season and somehow, they still gave up the fewest pass yards per game.

Just imagine how prolific the defense has the potential to be if Rodgers can sustain offensive drives and get them rest this upcoming season.

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With a quality run-game developing, Rodgers won’t have to throw for 30-35 pass attempts every game. Instead his strengths will work as an asset in a balanced offensive attack.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will likely preserve Rodgers, using his accuracy as an advantage in the quick pass game. Not that this is some newly found plan, Rodgers was simply injured last season.

If the Jets can keep themselves in short-yardage situations on offense, they could potentially lead the NFL in both total first downs and time of possession this upcoming season.

Panthers HC Dave Canales praises ‘fantastic’ Terrace Marshall Jr.

Panthers HC Dave Canales: “Every day there’s a big play Terrace Marshall is a part of.”

The momentary lapse of “dumb football” didn’t overshadow what’s been a fantastic summer for Carolina Panthers receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.

During last week’s joint practice with the New York Jets, the fourth-year wideout celebrated a bit too personally after making a spectacular catch over cornerback D.J. Reed—tossing the ball towards his victim and sparking one of three scuffles during the heated morning session. Following the outing, head coach Dave Canales would describe Marshall Jr.’s decision as “dumb football,” something the two promptly talked over that Thursday.

On Wednesday, Canales was asked about how Marshall Jr. reacted to the conversation.

“Oh, he was great,” Canales replied. “I told him I love seeing the edge. You can still have an edge without the disrespect. And that’s really just talking about, like, take your attention to our guys. Celebrate with our teammates, with us.”

Marshall Jr., who isn’t assured one of the team’s 53 spots on their initial regular-season roster, has had reason to celebrate during a standout training camp. Canales later added that the 24-year-old is continuing to make his mark in practices.

“Fantastic. Consistent,” Canales said of Marshall Jr.’s performance over the past few days. “Every day there’s a big play Terrace Marshall is a part of. Screaming across the field, a vertical outside—just different ways that he’s really shown us the ability, and really the growth that he’s had over the last couple of years.”

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Panthers HC Dave Canales on Terrace Marshall Jr.’s dust-up with D.J. Reed: ‘It’s dumb football’

Panthers HC Dave Canales wasn’t a fan of Terrace Marshall Jr.’s actions following a TD grab on Jets CB D.J. Reed.

Dave Canales wants his players to keep their plays to themselves . . . or at least not in the faces of opposing ones.

The Carolina Panthers head coach hit the lectern following Thursday’s joint practice with the visiting New York Jets, a lively session that got a bit heated at times. One of those times—the first, in fact—featured wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.

After reeling in an impressive touchdown grab over Jets cornerback D.J. Reed, Marshall Jr. flipped the ball towards the standout defender. Reed, obviously, didn’t take kindly to the move and a scuffle ensued.

Canales was asked if the dust-up was a learning moment for the team.

“Absolutely. It’s dumb football,” he replied. “We can’t have that—guys fighting. We wanna celebrate with each other. We wanna make big plays and give the opponent nothing. This is the exact type of stuff that I’ve been hitting them on, especially going into this practice.

“And he got excited. He made a great play on a really good player. Leave it at that. A great football play. How about we celebrate that?”

Fortunately, Canales smoothed the situation out with Marshall Jr.

“He and I talked about it out there, and we put it behind us,” Canales added. “It’s just . . . these are the moments. It’s too hard. Football is too hard. The margins are so tight in this league.

“You can’t afford to give the opponent anything. Not the ball, not a penalty, not false starts and pre-snap things, aligning offsides. Those are all the things that marginally, they just add up and they flip the field and it makes it even harder.”

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Punches thrown in heated joint practice between Panthers and Jets

Some fists were flying during Thursday’s joint practice between the Panthers and Jets.

Ding, ding.

In what may be the least surprising development of any joint practice in NFL history, squabbles and skirmishes were abound between the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets on Thursday morning.

The first fit of fisticuffs went down when Panthers wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. bested Jets cornerback D.J. Reed on a fade ball from quarterback Bryce Young. After the fourth-year receiver reeled in the pass for an impressive touchdown, he flipped the ball at Reed.

Reed, of course, didn’t take too kindly to the gesture. Things got heated, the teams convened and Reed proceeded to even fling the ball at Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard.

Then, a second scuffle would break out—this time, between Panthers running back Mike Boone and Jets defensive lineman Michael Clemons. Per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Clemons took a swing on Boone and Boone would reciprocate with an attempt of his own . . .

And if two fights weren’t enough, then how about a third . . . ?

Welcome to the dog dawg days of summer!

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Vikings could be big players in 2025 defensive free agent market

Minnesota Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis reports the team could look to add a number of defensive free agents next year, like Kenny Clark.

Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings defense were much improved last season over their 2022 counterparts. The schemes that Flores drew up for the defense last season gave teams fits all season. We’ll have to see how this year’s version matches up to last year’s team, but there’s already talk about the team being heavy players in next year’s crop of free agents.

The Vikings should have a lot of cap space to work with next season, and there are several holes on this year’s squad that have yet to be filled. While it seems unlikely Minnesota fills those holes in any meaningful way this season, next year could be the year. But who could they be targeting on the free agent market?

According to The Athletic’s Minnesota Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis, there are several enticing names the team could be players for:

Two names: Kenny Clark and D.J. Reed. The Vikings will likely peruse the market for DTs and CBs next year, and these two might be the best available at their positions. But there are other possibilities, too. How about 49ers CB Charvarius Ward, Patriots DT Davon Godchaux or Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat? These aren’t A-level names and they’re all nearing 30, but this is the aisle you’re shopping in on the open market.

There’s a strong ‘veteran leadership’ theme running through all of those names, as each either has extensive playoff and championship experience or has played for legendary head coaches. It seems clear the Vikings are looking to bolster the leadership aspect of their team for the years to come.

D.J. Reed focused on season, not stressing potential extension, says ball is in Jets’ court

D.J. Reed is focused on helping the defense in 2024 and isn’t sweating a new contract just yet with free agency looming.

Jets safety D.J. Reed has been something the team hasn’t been fully used to having in recent years: a successful free-agent signing. Reed joined the Jets in 2022 as a free agent from the Seattle Seahawks, signing a three-year deal. He is now entering the final year of that contract but says “it’s been chill vibes” when it comes to either getting an extension or testing the free-agent waters in 2025, saying: “Quite honestly, the ball is in the Jets’ court.”

“I love being here, but I’m not really stressing about it,” Reed said this week regarding his contract during minicamp. “I’m here, I’m gonna be here in training camp.”

Reed added: “I signed a three-year deal, so I expect to play the three years here and go into free agency. But, I do love New York, I love playing here, love the coaches and the organization. Woody [Johnson] took care of me last time. And, yeah, I love my teammates, so we’ll see.”

While Reed isn’t worried about his contract, he is focused on helping the Jets continue boasting one of the top defenses in the NFL as they enter an important season for the franchise.

“We definitely have an identity, we definitely have a standard,” Reed said, via Yahoo Sports. “And it’s just holding each other accountable every day to that standard. That’s what I expect,” he said, adding that the standard is getting all 11 players on defense “running to the ball” and bringing a level of physicality to the opposition.

“But not just running to the ball just to be running to the ball, it’s like a deliberate making sure that you’re tracking, so, if it’s a cutback that you’re able to tackle the running back or the ball carrier. And also just that physical tenacity that we play with in all phases from the d-line to the linebackers to the secondary.”

In two seasons with the Jets, Reed has started 32 games and recorded 21 passes defended and two interceptions, forming arguably the best duo and even trio of cornerbacks in the NFL with Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II. He is still just 27 years old — he doesn’t turn 28 until November.

Reed is, very arguably, the top pending free agent for the Jets for 2025. Per Over the Cap, the Jets are sitting with almost $60 million in salary cap space for next year. Should the Jets want to work something out with Reed, they’ll have the cap space next year to do so. They are somewhat cap-strapped heading into this summer with about $6 million in space. Reed is set to make $10.5 million this season, so an extension (and thus, lowering Reed’s 2024 cap number) could dual-purpose for the Jets and Reed.

Jets defensive back wants Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett

One New York Jets player would love to see his team sign Jacoby Brissett rather than potentially trade for Sam Howell.

In three weeks, the new NFL league year begins, and players can switch teams. Rumor season begins next week at the NFL combine, and that’s often where trades are discussed.

Connor Hughes covers the New York Jets for SportsNet New York (SNY) and recently floated the possibility of the Jets trading for Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.

Here’s what Hughes wrote:

I love the idea of this, assuming he’s available. The Commanders could easily keep him as the backup. It’s not like this is a Sam Darnold, Justin Fields situation. If available, though, I’d prioritize him over anyone else.

Howell proved this year he can play. There are flaws to his game, but none where the season is lost if he has to play. He’s also cheaper. Howell would have a cap hit under $1 million each of the next two years — that matters to Woody Johnson and the Jets. There are those in the Jets building who believe he can play, too. Maybe two years learning behind Rodgers really unlocks his potential and he ends up being his replacement. He did throw for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns on a terrible Commanders team.

The key will simply be compensation. The Jets should do this if all it takes is a pick on the third day of the draft. Howell is just as good of an insurance policy as Gardner Minshew or Jacoby Brissett.

This wasn’t a report from Hughes, it was only him answering a question about New York finding some Aaron Rodgers’ insurance in case the 40-year-old quarterback is injured again. Someone had asked Hughes about the possibility of the Jets trading for Howell.

Howell has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and there is no indication that new Washington GM Adam Peters would trade him. However, veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who spent last season with the Commanders as Howell’s backup, is a free agent.

Brissett shined in limited appearances for Washington.

One Jets’ defender made it clear which quarterback he would prefer. Cornerback D.J. Reed saw a post potentially linking Howell and the Jets and weighed in.

Brissett would be an ideal backup for the Jets. However, would he go to a place where he has no chance of competing for the starting position? And would he want to go into a situation where Rodgers was ahead of him?

Brissett signed a one-year deal with Washington last offseason with the idea he’d compete with Howell for the starting job, but it was clear that former coach Ron Rivera had always intended for Howell to win the job.

Regardless of where Brissett eventually lands, he’ll have plenty of options. Washington is expected to take a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.