Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) is tackled by Washington Commanders linebacker Cody Barton (57) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Washington Commanders at New York Jets
(Florham Park, NJ) – Garrett Wilson “looked awesome,” according to Robert Saleh, matching up against the Washington Commanders in a rainy joint practice on Thursday.
The third year receiver put on a spectacular showing, even with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor at the helm after Saleh decided to rest Rodgers due to the weather. Rodgers pushed back on the decision, wanting to be out on the field, but Saleh said “in the grand scheme of things we’re trying to think forward thinking with regards to Week 1, and we’ve got a long way for that.”
Saleh wasn’t willing to risk Rodgers playing on a slick field fresh off his achilles injury. He noted that there will be plenty of opportunities for the veteran passer to get in quality reps in joint practices with Carolina and the Giants in the future, and a possible chance of playing late in the preseason.
The Jets learned well from their mistake last year, bringing in an established quarterback with the previously mentioned Tyrod Taylor. Taylor had no issue in navigating the Commanders’ defense, and was only thrown off when the rain reached its heaviest point.
Mike Williams is slowly moving towards walkthroughs and team drills, there is still a long road ahead for the receiver, but Williams and the Jets are both optimistic about a return by Week 1 of the regular season.
On the other side of the ball, the Jets’ defense did as they usually do and had their way with the opposing offense. Jayden Daniels and the first-team offense struggled against New York, completing under half of his passes and most of them for very short gains.
The best defensive line in the NFL appears to be getting even better as second year rusher Will McDonald is coming into his own. The agile McDonald has been utilizing a spin move to free himself from blockers and it proved effective.
Sauce Gardner was his usual shut-down self, using every inch of his 6’7” wingspan to break up a pass intended for Terry McLaurin that Jayden Daniels told Gardner would have gotten over “anybody but you.”
The Jets and Commanders will face off for their first preseason games on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at MetLife.
