Six Won’t Play Sunday, TEs Tye and Sterling Likely to Receive More Playing Time
Head coach Todd Bowles ruled out six players for this Sunday’s Jets-Raiders matchup before the team heads to Northern California — LBs Bruce Carter (ankle) and Edmond Robinson (groin), C Jonotthan Harrison (concussion), S Rontez Miles (eye) and TEs Eric Tomlinson and Jordan Leggett.
Carpe Diem
Josh Martin has gone from special teams ace to starting outside linebacker, and he’s taking advantage of his opportunity.
Martin led all players last Sunday with three tackles for loss in addition to his half-sack. The fifth-year veteran said he built a nice foundation to improve on throughout the regular season. On the first drive of the game, Martin brought down Bills RB Mike Tolbert for a six-yard loss two plays before cornerback Juston Burris picked of Tyrod Taylor in the end zone.
“It was one of those things where I didn’t even realize where I was on the field,” he said. “I just defeated the block and made the tackle. Obviously, we were on the goal line, but you don’t think about that. You just think about the guy in front of you, defeating him and doing what you can to take advantage of the plays you’re supposed to make.”
Step Up to The Plate
Down two tight ends and with Austin Seferian-Jenkins still suspended, Will Tye and Neal Sterling seem to be in line for more playing time.
“We have Sterling and Tye,” Bowles said in Friday’s press conference. “We’ll just juggle some personnel groups around and go from there.”
Tye reeled in three catches for 34 against Buffalo after he was acquired on waivers just seven days prior.
“Expectations were high, but I didn’t expect to see the field that much,” he said. “Just knowing a good 50% of the plays that week, I felt good. I felt good knowing that I could make plays, whether it was run blocking or as a receiver.”
The third-year product is hoping to make more of an impact on the offense this weekend in Oakland. Bowles said Tye has been working at two positions. Though he did not elaborate, the 6’2”, 256-pounder played tight end, fullback and H-back the past two seasons while with the crosstown Giants.
“That’s huge,” Tye said. “I have no problem coming down the middle — Iso, on the line, whatever. It’s not only a he plus for me, but also for the team that I could be anywhere to get my job done.”
