The Jets will see arguably the best defensive player in football this week when they face the Rams and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Donald can blow up an opponent’s offense and has 12.5 sacks this season to go along with 24 quarterback hits.
“He gets double-teamed a lot, it doesn’t matter though,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “I mean the guy is phenomenal at defeating blocks whether one or two guys are on him, whether he’s back side, front side of the run. If he’s not the best player in the league, he’s top three. He’s so disruptive.”
Gase said there are very few defensive players who can impact a game like Donald. It also helps him and the Rams to have Jalen Ramsey in the secondary.
Aaron Donald Getty Images“It’s just like this guy wrecks the game in so many different ways, whether it’s the run game, pass game, creating turnovers, just constant pressure on the quarterback to where you can feel him so much the ball starts coming out quicker and then they’re tight on coverage,” Gase said. “The way their front plays, not only with him, but the rest of the guys, it allows the DBs to be really aggressive to where they don’t have to back up. They’re like, ‘We’ll just sit here, because that balls got to come out.’ And then, let alone having probably the best corner in football out there as well. Ramsey looks like I remember him.”
WR Jamison Crowder did not practice Wednesday with injuries in both calves. Crowder missed practice time last week but played last Sunday in Seattle. Gase sounded confident that Crowder could play this Sunday.
“I feel good that he’ll be ready to start practicing Thursday,” Gase said. “We’re just trying to be smart with it, it’s both calves. He made it through the game, that was encouraging. It didn’t seem like it bothered him. If he was hurting, he didn’t let anybody know.He did a good job of getting through that warm-up and convincing us that he was going to make it through the game.”
The Jets placed OLB Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) and DB Saquan Hampton (Achilles) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. … Rookie WR Denzel Mims returned to practice Wednesday after missing last week due to a family emergency. …. Kicker Sam Ficken and RB La’Mical Perine were designated to return to practice from injured reserve. Gase said they will evaluate Ficken, who had a groin injury, during the week and then decide whether Ficken or Chase McLaughlin, whom the team just claimed off waivers, will kick Sunday. … The Jets signed kicker Sergio Castillo to their practice squad. They released him Tuesday after he missed three field goals in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. … QB Sam Darnold was listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, but practiced fully.
