The New York Jets looked good in their game last week against the Chicago Bears, winning 31-10 in Mike White’s first start of the season in place of Zach Wilson. White commanded the offense with confidence and poise as his teammates responded to the change with a nice showing.
However, things will be tougher this week as the Jets will be heading on the road to face off with the Minnesota Vikings. This is the start of a tough stretch for New York, as they are facing off against the Vikings and Buffalo Bills, on the road, in back-to-back weeks.
If White can play near the level that he did against the Bears, the Jets will have a great chance of winning the game. However, things will be a little tougher to navigate this week as the Jets could be without starting running back Michael Carter.
Carter is dealing with an ankle sprain that he suffered in the game against the Bears. While it has been categorized as a day-to-day injury, Carter hasn’t suited up for practice this week. On Friday morning, head coach Robert Saleh provided some disappointing news, saying Carter is doubtful to play on Sunday.
That would be a tough blow for the Jets. While Carter hasn’t been super productive for them, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry as he has gained 370 yards on 99 totes to go along with three touchdowns, he is very good in the passing game.
Carter is a good pass blocker and also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. On the season he has caught 28 passes for 209 yards while splitting action. Without him in the lineup, the Jets are going to be turning to the combination of Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight.
Knight made his NFL debut last week against the Bears, gaining 69 yards on 14 carries while catching three passes for 34 yards. He played 48 percent of the snaps while Johnson mixed in for 24 percent. Johnson was also productive, rushing five times for 62 yards and a touchdown, catching one pass for 16 yards.
While they are an unheralded duo, Johnson and Knight looked capable of carrying the backfield for as long as Carter is sidelined with his ankle injury.
