Jets COVID Update: Robert Saleh still questionable for Sunday

12/24/2021

The Jets are dealing with a number of COVID issues ahead of their Week 16 game.

COVID-19 is hitting the NFL hard. The omicron variant is lingering, and as a result, many players and coaches are testing positive.

Starting quarterbacks are missing games; matchups are being rescheduled to a Monday or Tuesday. It feels like 2020 again.

With Week 16 now underway, the Jets find themselves among the long list of teams dealing with extensive virus issues. Their upcoming home matchup with the Jaguars is just two days away (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET), and unfortunately, many of these COVID-related setbacks have yet to be resolved.

Saleh questionable

Head coach Robert Saleh tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. He is vaccinated but needs two consecutive negative tests in order to coach this Sunday.

As of right now, Saleh is preparing to miss the game — the rookie head coach spoke to the media virtually on Friday.

"We're operating as if I will not be there Sunday" – Robert Saleh on his coaching availability after contracting COVID pic.twitter.com/NufUBcX1Q8

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 24, 2021

“I took my test [Friday] morning. I’ve got to get two negatives — that would be [Friday] and [Saturday],” he said. “We’re proceeding as if I’m not coaching on Sunday. If I do come up with two negatives, it will be an easy adjustment. But we’re operating as if I will not be there Sunday.”

Saleh’s Week 16 status will be revealed eventually. If he doesn’t test out of the COVID-19 protocol, tight ends coach Ron Middleton will be the acting head coach against Jacksonville.

As for whether the game should be postponed, Saleh didn’t reveal much of an opinion on the matter.

Saleh on whether the game should be postponed: “Not my decision to make.” Just preparing for Sunday. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 24, 2021

Jets’ COVID-19 Lists

The following players are currently on the Jets’ Reserve/COVID-19 list:

CB Michael Carter II
S Ashtyn Davis
iOL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
DT Folorunso Fatukasi
QB Joe Flacco
DE John Franklin-Myers
DT Jonathan Marshall
WR Elijah Moore
LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
S Sharrod Neasman
iOL Alijah Vera-Tucker
TE Kenny Yeboah

The following players are currently on the Jets’ Practice Squad/COVID-19 list:

LB Noah Dawkins
CB Lamar Jackson
DT Tanzel Smart
WR Vyncint Smith

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets activated special teams ace Justin Hardee and wide receiver Jeff Smith off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Jets have activated two players from the COVID list — ST Justin Hardee and WR Jeff Smith. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 24, 2021

Jaguars’ COVID-19 Lists

The following players are currently on the Jaguars’ Reserve/COVID-19 list:

EDGE Josh Allen
iOL Ben Bartch
RB Travis Etienne Jr.
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Jaguars placed Allen, Bartch, and Shenault Jr. on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Allen (who leads the team with 5.5 sacks) is unvaccinated and must sit out for at least 10 days.

More COVID-19 additions:
— #Bills add WR Gabriel Davis and OL Cody Ford to the list.
— #Jaguars add WR Laviska Shenault and RG Ben Bartch to the list, along with Josh Allen (the Jags one, not the Bills one), who is unvaccinated and out 10 days.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2021

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