New York Jets

Mason Taylor

TE

Taylor has been operating as the team's top tight end in training camp, as rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) has been sidelined since the first week of August. Backup TE Jelani Woods capped the opening drive with a touchdown catch Friday, four plays after Taylor moved the chains with a 10-yard grab on 3rd-and-9. Even once Sadiq gets healthy, Taylor's reliability as both a pass catcher and blocker should allow the 2025 second-round pick to maintain a sizable role.

Adonai Mitchell

WR

Geno Smith completed seven passes to six different targets on the game's opening drive, and Mitchell is the only receiver whom Smith connected with twice. They linked up for an eight-yard gain on Smith's first pass and combined for a 21-yard pickup on the very next play. Mitchell and Smith have reportedly developed strong chemistry in training camp, and that was on display during their brief time in the game Friday. The Jets drafted WR Omar Cooper 30th overall, but all signs point to Mitchell opening the season as a starter on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson.

Braelon Allen

RB

Allen got the start at running back in the absence of Breece Hall (groin) and played the opening drive along with the team's starters. That drive produced a touchdown, but Geno Smith's arm did the heavy lifting rather than Allen's legs. The Jets are optimistic that Hall will be back by Week 1, and Isaiah Davis (knee) could push Allen for the top backup spot once healthy. Allen is the team's top available RB at the moment, but this is a situation that will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks.

Omar Cooper Jr.

WR

Cooper's lone catch came on a pass from fellow rookie Cade Klubnik in the two-minute drill to end the first half, with the Jets' second-string offense in the game. The rookie first-round pick out of Indiana has yet to work his way ahead of slot receiver Isaiah Williams, while Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell appear entrenched as the team's top two wide receivers until further notice. Cooper's likely to feature in next Friday's preseason finale against the Giants, even if the Jets rest their veteran starters.

Geno Smith

QB

After sitting out the preseason opener due to a sore ankle, Smith saw the first game action of his second stint with the Jets. He played only the opening drive but was sharp during his brief time in the game, completing all seven of his passes to six different targets, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Woods. Smith looks like he's in midseason form already, so it remains to be seen if the veteran QB will get any action in next Friday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Garrett Wilson

WR

The Jets' starters played the opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown. Geno Smith hit all seven of his pass attempts, including a 10-yard pass to Wilson to convert on 3rd-and-6 in Pittsburgh territory. The offseason addition of Smith gives the Jets' entire passing game a higher ceiling heading into 2026, and Wilson remains the team's top WR.

Chase Curtis

TE

The severity of the injury is unknown at this point, but it will at least keep Curtis off the field for the rest of the game. In his absence, fellow undrafted rookie free-agent tight end Connor Hulstein may see an uptick in snaps.

Kingsley Jonathan

DE

Jonathan was waived/injured by the Jets on Tuesday. The defensive end cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. Jonathan played in one regular-season game for the Jets in 2025, logging one tackle assist over 25 total snaps.

Qwan'tez Stiggers

CB

Stiggers was seen practicing in a red non-contact jersey, meaning he is progressing well through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. The next step for the cornerback will be being cleared for full practice by an independent neurologist.

Junior Bergen

WR

Bergen was waived by the 49ers last Wednesday and was able to clear waivers. The second-year wide receiver has not yet appeared in a regular-season game. The Jets waived/injured wide receiver DT Sheffield (undisclosed) in a corresponding move.

Nahshon Wright

CB

questionable

VJ Payne

S

questionable

Kenyon Sadiq

TE

questionable

Breece Hall

RB

questionable

Mory Bamba

CB

questionable

Isaiah Davis

RB

questionable

Joseph Ossai

DE

Kiko Mauigoa

LB

T'Vondre Sweat

DT

Andre Cisco

S

Kingsley Enagbare

LB

Enagbare was listed as day-to-day in early August due to an unknown issue he suffered early in training camp. The defensive end has taken his time to work through the issue and now appears ready to engage in preseason activities. The Jets' next preseason game is Friday night against the Steelers. If Enagbare can log consecutive full practices, he will likely make an appearance in the contest for a few snaps.

D'Angelo Ponds

CB

Glenn indicated that Ponds is getting closer to a return and expects him to be available for New York's Week 1 matchup against Tennessee after straining his calf on July 29. The rookie defensive back is in line to see a significant role in New York's secondary after being selected in the second round back in April.

Bailey Zappe

QB

Klubnik got the surprise start Friday after Geno Smith was ruled out due to an ankle injury, and he turned in a solid first two drives of the game. Meanwhile, Zappe followed Klubnik and completed six of 10 passes for 55 yards, but two of his incompletions were interceptions, including one pick-six. Zappe will have two additional preseason games to make his case, but Cimini notes the veteran signal-caller appears to clearly be behind Klubnik at the moment.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

CB

Brownlee played just 10 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps Friday. Former slot cornerback Michael Carter departed the Jets for the Eagles in late October via trade. With Carter no longer around, Brownlee is set to take over the starting role for the 2026 season. The prospective starter will likely play similarly few snaps in next Friday's preseason showdown with the Steelers.

Cade Klubnik

QB

Klubnik got the starting nod due to Geno Smith (ankle) being ruled out. Smith's injury isn't believed to be serious, so the veteran QB remains the clear favorite to start for the Jets come Week 1 against the Titans, but Klubnik is making a strong case for the backup role. The Jets scored 10 points on Klubnik's two drives in the game, while neither Bailey Zappe nor Brady Cook led a touchdown drive, and Zappe was picked off twice. Klubnik is likely to feature prominently in the Jets' second preseason game against the Steelers next Friday.