Tag: new york jets football

Will Jimmie Ward play today? Latest injury updates for Texans DB

Will Jimmie Ward be back for the Houston Texans in Week 9 against the New York Jets?

With the Houston Texans on a short week, current injured players might be out again if not fully cleared.

That seems to be the case for defensive captain and safety Jimmie Ward, who has remained sidelined for the previous three games after suffering a groin injury in Week 5’s win at home.

Will Ward suit up on “Thursday Night Football” when the Texans take on the New York Jets? Here’s what happened and his current status entering Thursday morning.

Jimmie Ward injury update

Ward suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the team’s Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran defensive back had previously missed Week 4’s over the Jaguars for the same injury but was healthy enough to return after further testing the following week. 

Since leaving NRG Stadium, Ward hasn’t been cleared to play, though the injury was severe enough to land him on the injured reserve.

The Texans have been optimistic surrounding his status, but Ward has either missed practice or been a limited participant since the beginning of the month. 

While Ward did practice on Tuesday, the Texans ruled him out once more before leaving for MetLife Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

He will miss his fourth consecutive game as Houston looks to improve to 7-2 to close out the month of October.

How long will Jimmie Ward be out?

Since Ward practiced on Tuesday, one could assume he’s close to being back at full strength. The Texans will have three days off to recover before beginning Week 10 preparation against the Detroit Lions, which falls on Sunday Night Football and primetime.

It feels likely the window to return is more so in favor of next week rather than Week 11’s showdown on Monday Night Football. He’s missed five games this season because of the issue, but it’s a good sign that he’s nearing the end of his rehab as he returns to practice.

Jimmie Ward stats

In four starts, Ward has 17 tackles and a pass breakup. He remains a defensive backbone of Houston at free safety, but the Texans have managed to go 4-1 without him in the lineup. 

Texans SAF depth chart

With Ward out, the Texans will be down one starter. Calen Bullock, a third-round pick out of USC in the 2024 NFL Draft is expected to start Thursday night opposite Eric Murray.

Here’s the rest of the defensive backs on the active roster:

  • Jalen Pitre
  • Myles Bryant
  • M.J. Stewart

Bullock leads the Texans with three interceptions and is expected to be the long-term replacement for either Murray or Ward beginning in 2025. He could remain a full-time starter after looking promising in the starting role over the past three games.

Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.

WATCH: Former Badgers RB Braelon Allen powers past defender in joint practice

WATCH: Former Badgers RB Braelon Allen powers past defender in joint practice

Former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen showcased his speed and power at the New York Jets’ joint practice with the Carolina Panthers in a recent highlight.

In the clip, Allen can be seen accelerating past a defender who tugs at his jersey from behind, then stiff-arming another Panther defender before gliding to the end zone.

Allen most recently showcased his offensive capabilities in the Jets’ preseason game against the Washington Commanders. In his New York debut, the former Badger great registered six carries for a whopping 54 yards (9 yards per touch).

The Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, native will serve as the Jets’ backup running back to emerging star Breece Hall. Hall recorded nearly 1,000 yards on the ground in 2023 and enters this season as one of the NFL’s premier backs.

Hall’s volume, however, could open the door for Allen to contribute in red zone or third down scenarios. With his size and speed, he fits the “bruiser” role to Hall’s quickness and multiple-down effectiveness.

Allen, the youngest player in the 2024 NFL draft, went No. 134 to the Jets in the fourth round. He departed Madison with 597 carries, 3,494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns during his three-year stint with the Badgers.

Texans sign former Georgia linebacker to two-year deal

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia Bulldogs and New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins to a two-year contract.

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia Bulldogs and New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins to a two-year contract. Jenkins projects to be a pass rushing outside linebacker in Houston’s 3-4 defensive scheme.

Jenkins, who is 26 years old, has played five career seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets. Jordan Jenkins has 22.5 career sacks and should provide a boost to the Texans’ pass rush, which is replacing J.J. Watt this offseason.

The former Georgia football star has started 62 games in his NFL career. Jordan Jenkins battled a shoulder injury in 2020 and recorded 2.0 sacks for New York. The Jets placed Jordan Jenkins, who was their longest-tenured player, on injured reserve in Dec. 2020 due to his shoulder issue

Jordan Jenkins’ two-year deal with Houston, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, can be worth up to $8 million if he earns incentives. Houston needed pass rush help. The Texans recorded only 34 sacks last season and lost their best pass rushed in J.J. Watt. Now, Houston adds Jenkins, who has experience as a top pass rushing threat.

Jordan Jenkins is projected to start opposite outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus. The Texans have had some major roster turnover this offseason.

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New York Jets protect former UGA WR on their practice squad

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Lawrence Cager signed to the New York Jets practice squad to start the season

Former Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager signed to the New York Jets practice squad to start the season. Now, the Jets are designating Cager as one of four players who they’re protecting on their practice squad.

Cager played one season for the Georgia Bulldogs after transferring from Miami.  Cager was plagued with injuries during his collegiate career and endured multiple ankle injuries in 2019 with Georgia.

Despite the injuries, Cager helped the Bulldogs make their third straight SEC Championship Game.  He was second on the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (476). Cager also caught four touchdowns for the Dawgs and won countless jump balls.

His ability to win contested catches should translate to the NFL. The biggest challenge for Cager will be gaining separation from NFL defensive backs.

The Jets signed Cager as an undrafted free agent this offseason but waived prior to the season.  The following day, New York signed Cager to their practice squad.

Cager is trending towards making his first appearance in the NFL this week. The Jets have mounting injuries at the wide receiver position. Jamison Crowder (hamstring), Breshad Perriman (ankle), and Denzel Mims (IR with hamstring injury) are all expected to miss this week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. This opens the door for Lawrence Cager.

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New York Jets protect former UGA WR on their practice squad

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Lawrence Cager signed to the New York Jets practice squad to start the season

Former Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager signed to the New York Jets practice squad to start the season. Now, the Jets are designating Cager as one of four players who they’re protecting on their practice squad.

Cager played one season for the Georgia Bulldogs after transferring from Miami.  Cager was plagued with injuries during his collegiate career and endured multiple ankle injuries in 2019 with Georgia.

Despite the injuries, Cager helped the Bulldogs make their third straight SEC Championship Game.  He was second on the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (476). Cager also caught four touchdowns for the Dawgs and won countless jump balls.

His ability to win contested catches should translate to the NFL. The biggest challenge for Cager will be gaining separation from NFL defensive backs.

The Jets signed Cager as an undrafted free agent this offseason but waived prior to the season.  The following day, New York signed Cager to their practice squad.

Cager is trending towards making his first appearance in the NFL this week. The Jets have mounting injuries at the wide receiver position. Jamison Crowder (hamstring), Breshad Perriman (ankle), and Denzel Mims (IR with hamstring injury) are all expected to miss this week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. This opens the door for Lawrence Cager.

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Jets sign former Giants, UGA LB to practice squad

The New York Jets have signed former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree to their practice squad

The New York Jets have signed former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree to their practice squad. Ogletree, an NFL veteran, is a former Georgia Bulldog standout.

The New York Giants released Ogletree earlier this offseason and he was a free agent until the Jets signed him to their practice squad. Ogletree will be a talented member of the New York practice squad and it would be surprising if he isn’t promoted to the active roster at some point during the season.

Alec Ogletree has previous experience playing under New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from his time with the Los Angeles Rams. Ogletree has seven years of NFL experience including 93 starts.

Throughout his career, Ogletree has recorded 12 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, and 676 total tackles. He’s an impact player at the NFL level, but fans shouldn’t expect him to play immediately, since he is starting on the practice squad. During a normal season, Ogletree wouldn’t have been practice squad eligible.

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree celebrates after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the signings of Ogletree and receiver Jaleel Scott.

Contract details: New York Jets re-sign Jordan Jenkins

The New York Jets are re-signing former Georgia Bulldog outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins was the Jets’ 2019 sack leader.

The New York Jets are re-signing former Georgia Bulldog outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins, the Jets’ 2019 sack leader, anticipated a larger market for his services.

Now, he’s returning to New York on a one-year, $5M prove it deal. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news of Jenkins’ signing:

Jordan Jenkins was New York’s most effective pass-rusher in the front seven. He recorded 8.0 sacks last season following his previous career-high of 7.0 sacks in 2018. Jenkins has 20.5 sacks in his career along with 157 total tackles.

Nov 24, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;

New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins pressures Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during at MetLife Stadium.Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Jets fans are relieved to see Tom Brady out of the AFC East. New York hasn’t won the AFC East since 2002. The New England Patriots have won the AFC East every season since 2002 except for the 2008 season, when the Miami Dolphins took the division.

Jenkins will give the Jets a boost in 2020, but they’ll need another pass-rusher to step up. The Jets sacked the opposing quarterback 35 times last season (23rd in the NFL).

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Georgia football’s top plays of NFL week 10

Georgia Bulldogs made some great plays in the NFL once again this week. With several NFL teams having bye weeks, there were fewer chances for Dawgs to make plays. Matthew Stafford was out for the first time in years, so one of the biggest …

Georgia Bulldogs made some great plays in the NFL once again this week. With several NFL teams having bye weeks, there were fewer chances for Dawgs to make plays. Matthew Stafford was out for the first time in years, so one of the biggest play-makers from UGA didn’t suit up. Still, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Chubb, and Mecole Hardman had game-changing plays for their teams.

The New York Jets won against the Giants in a battle of New York teams. Former UGA linebacker Jordan Jenkins was a standout with two sacks:

Georgia’s Nick Chubb played excellent for the Browns. Many were concerned about the return of Kareem Hunt impacting Chubb’s role in the Cleveland offense, but Chubb managed to power his way to over one hundred yards rushing. Chubb carried Buffalo Bills defenders with him on his best run of the afternoon:

The best play of the week has to go to Mecole Hardman. Although it was in losing effort for the Chiefs, Hardman showed off his 4.3 speed on this insane touchdown:

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