New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich shared on Wednesday that Gardner is still undergoing tests on his leg after leaving last Sunday’s loss to Seattle late due to the injury.
Ulbrich didn’t sound hopeful about Gardner being ready to play, especially against the fast Dolphins wide receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Gardner missed practice on Wednesday.
“They’re still assessing the degree of which, beyond what the MRI told us,” Ulbrich said about Gardner’s hamstring. “He plays the position and we’re playing an opponent that you cannot play with a poor hamstring, in my opinion. So, we’ll see how it goes. If he’s feeling good and he’s ready to rock and roll, then we’ll let him play. If not, this is not a game we want him at half-speed.”
Gardner, an All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, has had an up-and-down third season but was playing well against the Seahawks before the injury. He had a season-high two passes defensed, but has yet to get an interception this year.
Other players who did not practice on Wednesday include running back Breece Hall (knee), right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder), and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle).
Hall was questionable before the Seahawks game but played and ran for 60 yards on 12 carries. Ulbrich said Hall didn’t seem worse off after the game and will be monitored through the week.
“We’re hopeful, he’s hopeful,” Ulbrich said. “He thinks he’s going to play. We’ll see how the week goes. Last week, we didn’t know and he got out there Friday and looked fantastic, so I’m hopeful we’ll have the same scenario.”
Linebacker C.J. Mosley, who has missed the last five games with a herniated disk in his neck, will continue to increase his practice work after returning to full pads last week. He participated fully in practice on Wednesday.
“He felt good, not great, so we’re going to give him another week to really take an assessment of where he’s at,” Ulbrich said.
The Jets also opened the 21-day practice windows for wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) and offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (hand), who are both on injured reserve, but Ulbrich said both might have a chance to play on Sunday at Miami. Both players fully participated in practice.
Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu, who is starting in place of the injured Tyron Smith, was limited due to a toe issue.
