It’s about to be debut time.
Ahead of the Week 13 Atlanta Falcons game, the New York Jets announced that they have elevated defensive back Jordan Clark and pass rusher Eric Watts.
Jordan Clark is the son of longtime ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark. This is a temporary elevation; Clark and Watts are set to revert to the practice squad on Monday, December 1.
A Path to the Starting Lineup on Sunday
Good things come to those who wait.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed that Jordan Clark, the son of ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, “will make his NFL debut.”
Jordan has been with the Jets since he joined them as an undrafted free agent back in May. Cimini said that Jordan “has spent the entire season on the practice squad.”
Not only will Jordan be on an active roster for the first time in his career, but he will have a chance to start in the slot.
Starting nickel defender Jarvis Brownlee Jr popped up on the injury report this week. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but on Friday, he didn’t practice due to a “hip” injury.
Brownlee was originally listed as “questionable” for the Falcons game due to that injury. However, on Saturday, November 29, he was downgraded to “doubtful.”
If Brownlee can’t go, Jordan Clark could start in his place.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter congratulated his ESPN teammate Ryan on his son finally getting his opportunity.
Another Injury Opens up the Door of Opportunity
The Jets also announced that veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard “has been added to the injury report with a neck injury and is questionable for tomorrow’s game.”
Lazard has appeared in seven games this season and has made two starts. He has been targeted 14 times, has caught eight receptions for 54 receiving yards, and has scored one touchdown this year.
You never want to see someone get injured. However, this might be a blessing in disguise for the Jets.
Lazard isn’t long for New York. This offseason, he ate an $8.5 million pay cut to stay on the team. Part of that negotiation included removing the final year of his contract, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Lazard, 29, is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The Jets are 2-9 and are in the midst of a youthful rebuild, and Lazard’s presence on offense was taking away reps from younger receivers on offense.
It’s time for the Jets to find out what they have on the roster. You know what Lazard is at this stage of his career: a slow, plodding, older, pass catcher that struggles catching the football consistently.
This Lazard injury should directly benefit players like John Metchie III, Adonai Mitchell, Arian Smith, Mason Taylor, and even Breece Hall.
Tyrod Taylor is set to start his second straight game. This will be his third start of the season. Back in Week 3, Taylor filled in for an injured Justin Fields. However, this time around, he is filling in for Fields due to performance, not injury.
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