The Jets’ stellar defense has propelled them to their best season in years, but they received unfortunate news on Monday, as defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will miss weeks with an elbow injury.
ESPN’s Rich Simini First reported the injury, which could have sidelined one of Gang Green’s main defensive big men, by mid-December.
Moving into the goodbye week, the team will work to rehabilitate Rankins, but he anticipates being absent for at least three further matchups.
His absence will deal a major blow to the team, who have relied on their scintillating defensive line to propel them this season.
Solomon Thomas figures to get the starting job while Rankins is out.
The 28-year-old came into the NFL as the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and signed with Gang Green in the 2021 off-season.
Through nine games this year, the defenseman has recorded 25 tackles (including three for the loss of yards), four times while opposing the quarterback and forcing a fumble. He has two sacks in the season.
Playing alongside Quinnon Williams in the trenches, tackles have helped the Jets build one of the most formidable defenses in professional football.
Collectively, they have allowed only 176 points for opposing offenses this year (NFL. in 12th), sacking quarterbacks of other teams 26 times (NFL. 5th in,
Gang Green is coming off a resounding win against the Buffalo Bills, and is just a half game out of first place in the AFC East.
He will be on leave this week before heading to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots.
