On Sunday, September 21, at Hard Rock Stadium, the New York Jets’ injury problems deepened during their Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Already missing starting quarterback Justin Fields, the Jets lost two defensive starters.
The biggest blow came in the second half when star cornerback Sauce Gardner left the game with a concussion. The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter after Gardner assisted on a tackle of Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving. He was examined in the medical tent and then helped to the locker room with 5:14 remaining. The team ruled him out soon after.
Before exiting, Gardner recorded five tackles. He also made a big play to Emeka Egbuka and was flagged for defensive pass interference. Gardner, a two-time Pro Bowler in his fourth NFL season, has three career interceptions and is widely regarded as the cornerstone of the Jets’ secondary.
- Sauce Gardner exited Week 3 with a concussion after helping tackle Bucky Irving, leaving the Jets without their top cornerback.
- Linebacker Quincy Williams also left the game with a shoulder injury after recording four tackles and being part of a sack.
- With Brandon Stephens struggling badly in coverage, Gardner’s absence could leave the Jets’ secondary dangerously exposed.
Linebacker Quincy Williams Suffers Shoulder Injury
Quincy Williams, 29, was injured earlier in the game. In the final minute of the first half, he suffered a left shoulder injury when a Tampa Bay offensive lineman fell on him. Williams was ruled out in the third quarter.
Before leaving, Williams made four tackles, including one for a loss, and shared a sack. His reliability has been an important part of the defense; he has recorded more than 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2023.
Sportsbooks Adjust Jets vs. Dolphins Betting Lines
The exits of Gardner and Williams, combined with Justin Fields’ absence, immediately influenced the betting market for the Jets’ next game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, September 29, at 7:15 p.m. ET in Miami Gardens.
DraftKings opened with the Dolphins as 2.5-point favorites, the Jets +124 on the moneyline, and the total at 44.5 points. FanDuel and BetMGM posted similar lines at Dolphins -2.5 with totals around 44.5. Action Network reported that Miami was initially listed as a 5.5-point favorite before the line narrowed to -2.5 following injury news and quarterback updates. Current moneylines sit between Jets +120 to +125 and Dolphins -145 to -150. Covers listed the total fluctuating between 43.5 and 44.5.
Jets futures also shifted. DraftKings lists New York at +40,000 to win the Super Bowl and +16,000 to win the AFC. Covers shows longer numbers, with the Jets at +50,000 for the Super Bowl, +20,000 for the AFC, and +10,000 for the AFC East.
Brandon Stephens’ Struggles Expose Secondary Depth
Gardner’s absence forces Brandon Stephens, the Jets’ No. 2 cornerback, into a more critical role. Stephens, signed from Baltimore in free agency, has drawn scrutiny for poor performance. In his Jets debut, he was targeted seven times, allowing five receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He was also penalized for defensive pass interference and gave up a 136.9 passer rating when targeted.
Justin Fried of The Jet Press wrote: “The same can’t be said for the Jets’ other big free-agent signing, Brandon Stephens. The former Ravens cornerback was a disaster in his debut, looking every bit like the player who ranked among the worst at his position in Baltimore. Stephens was targeted a whopping seven times, allowing five catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He was also flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty and allowed a 136.9 NFL passer rating when targeted.”
Fried added, “Stephens was the most targeted cornerback in the NFL over the last two seasons for a reason. If the Jets got even semi-competent play from their CB2 in Sunday’s game, they probably would have come away with the win. Instead, the Stephens already looks to be a head-scratcher for the organization.”
Without Gardner, Stephens will likely be asked to match up against top receivers, a responsibility he has struggled to handle in the past.
