GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Jets were still processing the loss of defensive end Carl Lawson two days after the pass rusher ruptured his left Achilles tendon and was lost for the season.
Lawson’s absence showed on the field Saturday night, with the Jets getting little to no pressure on Packers third-string quarterback Kurt Benkert. The starting defense did not have any sacks in the Jets’ 23-14 preseason win.
Head coach Robert Saleh said the Jets are not looking to add a pass rusher right now, instead rolling with who is on the roster. Bryce Huff got the start Saturday.
“The NFL train stops for nobody,” Saleh said. “When someone falls off the train, it’s another opportunity for someone to jump on the train. There’s a lot of men on this football team, especially at that D-end spot that are champing at the bit to get an opportunity and they’ve got it.”
Saleh said his primary concern is for Lawson, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal in March and had been having a monster training camp before the injury on Thursday.
“He does everything that’s asked out of a professional athlete,” Saleh said. “You could not ask for a more perfect big-money free agent that came in and just does things the right way. Despite getting paid, he still wanted more. For that to happen to him, that’s where all my attention goes. I just feel bad for him.”
The Jets’ defense may have lost another starter Saturday. Linebacker Jarrad Davis exited the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter. He limped off the field, but needed a cart to drive him back to the locker room. Saleh said the initial prognosis is good, but Davis would undergo more tests.
The starting defense did not play well. They gave up two long drives against the Green Bay backups. On a 19-play drive, the Jets allowed six third-down conversions.
“You look at those third-down opportunities and winning one-on-ones on the perimeter,that’s third down,” Saleh said. “That’s life in the NFL. That’s two-minute. That’s crunch time. That’s critical downs. … When you get to those third downs, that’s back-breaking.”
LB Noah Dawkins started over rookie Hamsah Nasirildeen, which was a surprise.
“I think Dawk’s done a really nice job,” Saleh said. “He’s had a 180 since OTAs. He’s been extremely detailed. He’s been getting extra meeting time. He’s been more consistent with his responsibility. When he’s on it and his eyes are right and his feet are in the ground, the kid can flat-out fly. Especially with our defense where we’re asking guys to shrink the field and suffocate an offense and he’s one of those guys that can do that.”
QB Zach Wilson poked fun at backup James Morgan, who is from Green Bay and was excited to meet Aaron Rodgers.
“He got to spend some time with Aaron as well. He was like his girl crush growing up,” Wilson said. “Mine as well, but I try not to show it.”
The Jets sustained some injuries other than Davis: DE Ronald Blair (hamstring), KR Corey Ballentine (knee), OT Conor McDermott (knee) and QB Mike White (ribs) all left the game and will undergo further tests, Saleh said. … OT Morgan Moses and CB Bless Austin missed the game due to personal reasons.
