The New York Jets expect wide receiver Garrett Wilson to miss at least three to four weeks with a right knee sprain, a team source told ESPN on Monday. Wilson underwent imaging after Sunday’s game and will not require surgery.
Wilson had returned Sunday after missing two games because of the same knee, but re-injured it in the third quarter of the Jets’ 27-20 win over the Cleveland Browns. The injury happened on a contested deep pass from Justin Fields that fell incomplete. Wilson slid on the damp turf into a sitting position with both legs tucked beneath him, stood and jogged to the huddle, then began limping and went to the sideline. He spent time on an exercise bike before going to the locker room.
The setback is significant for a Jets offense that managed just 169 total yards in the win, including 42 net passing yards. New York, now 2-7 and winners of two straight, travels to face the first-place New England Patriots on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
Coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that imaging was performed but declined to commit to Wilson’s availability, saying he wants to wait for the medical evaluation and noting that adrenaline during games can mask how an injury feels until afterward.
The Jets are already without receiver Josh Reynolds, who is on injured reserve with a hip injury. With Wilson and Reynolds sidelined, the top receiving options are rookie Arian Smith, Tyler Johnson, Isaiah Williams and John Metchie III, who made his Jets debut Sunday after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Adonai Mitchell, acquired last week in the Sauce Gardner trade, traveled with the team this week and should be available Thursday after joining the roster; he did not play Sunday after only three days of practice. Allen Lazard was a healthy scratch against the Browns.
Wilson was targeted just twice Sunday and was held without a catch for the first time in his career. He had reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, a streak now in jeopardy. Through seven games this season he has 395 yards on 36 receptions with four touchdowns.
Wilson’s absence also complicates the quarterback picture. For the third straight day, Glenn declined to name a starter, asking reporters not to press him on the quarterbacks. Justin Fields completed six of 11 passes for 54 yards Sunday, with one touchdown and one interception.