Jets' Sauce Gardner placed in concussion protocol
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner answers questions from reporters after practice on July 22, 2025 in Florham Park, N.J. Credit: Noah K. Murray
The Jets could be without cornerback Sauce Gardner for this week’s game against Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals.
Gardner suffered a concussion in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Panthers and is in the protocol. He has to go through several steps before he is permitted to return, including being cleared by an independent neurologist.
If Gardner is unable to play, the Jets’ secondary will have its hands full trying to limit the Bengals’ playmaking receivers, Chase and Tee Higgins. Gardner has been traveling with the opposing team’s best receiver more this season.
The Jets hope to have star receiver Garrett Wilson back against Cincinnati. On Sunday, he missed a game for the first time in his career with a knee injury.
“Shoot, I hope he plays,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “But I understand how these injuries are.”
The Jets’ bye week follows Sunday’s game. At 0-7, they need a win, but the Jets might decide it’s best for Wilson to return after the bye.
Glenn said running back Breece Hall, who was limited in the second half with an undisclosed injury, should be “just fine.”
Linebacker Quincy Williams (shoulder) is eligible to return from injured reserve.
“That’s something we’ll talk about this week,” Glenn said.
Returner Kene Nwangwu also is in the concussion protocol and defensive tackle Jay Tufele has a mild knee sprain.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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