The New York Jets announced that Zach Wilson will once again be their starting quarterback in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. It is a decision many fans aren’t pleased with, but the organization seems ready to go down with Wilson for the second straight year.
While no change is coming at quarterback, the Jets are looking to shake things up on their offense. Running back Michael Carter was waived this week because, according to head coach Robert Saleh, the team doesn’t want him to ‘rot on the bench.’
Carter would be moving to a bench role because the Jets are planning on getting Israel Abanikanda involved in the offense. Abanikanda, who went to high school in Brooklyn and was a fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh, has not played a snap yet this season.
But, the Jets are planning to change that in the coming weeks as he will operate as the No. 3 back behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. If he plays at a high level, he can likely usurp some touches from Cook, who has struggled all season.
Saleh shared that the backfield shake-up isn’t the only move coming as more are planned. “There are. I’m not going to get into it now, but there are,” Saleh said, via SNY.
Smart money would be the tight end rotation getting changed. 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert is expected to be a bigger part of the game plan. Ruckert, like Abanikanda, is a local kid who went to high school at Lindenhurst on Long Island and grew up a Jets fan.
His playing time has been limited behind veterans Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah, but that is expected to change. Uzomah has struggled when called upon this season, presenting an opportunity for Ruckert to get into the lineup along with Conklin.
While the Jets’ biggest issues remain Wilson at quarterback and the offensive line, it is nice to see them at least attempting to shake things up with some personnel changes. Giving younger guys in Abanikanda and Ruckert a chance to get on the field could provide New York with the spark they are seeking.
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