CHARLOTTE — None of the Jets’ projected starters outside of center Joe Tippmann played in their preseason victory against the Commanders last Saturday.
That likely will be the same game plan for Gang Green’s second preseason contest vs. the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers certainly won’t be in uniform after Jets coach Robert Saleh said he would not play in the team’s first two preseason games. Rodgers and Saleh have yet to decide whether the four-time NFL MVP will take snaps in the preseason finale against the Giants on Aug. 24.
Here are five Jets players to keep an eye on against the Panthers.
TYROD TAYLOR, QB
Taylor started against the Commanders, but the Jets offense was stuck in the mud. He completed just 1 of 2 passes for -1 yards.
With Rodgers back from the season-ending Achilles injury he suffered four plays into last season, the preseason is an opportunity for Taylor to get a heavy workload and fine-tune his skills.
The Jets hope Taylor, 35, won’t play at all this season. However, the 14-year veteran would obviously like to have a better outing than he did against the Commanders.
OLU FASHANU, OT
Recently, the Jets have been cross-training the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft at both tackle spots and the results have been impressive.
Fashanu helped spring running back Isaiah Davis for a 20-yard touchdown. He also played well against the Commanders, allowing just two pressures in 25 snaps.
With Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses entrenched as starters on the Jets’ offensive line, Fashanu’s reps during the preseason are necessary for depth purposes. Gang Green’s offensive line has been ravaged by injuries over the last couple of seasons. That includes last year when the Jets used 14 different O-line combinations in 17 games.
In case injuries occur again, it appears Fashanu will be the Jets’ swing tackle.
MICHEAL CLEMONS, DL
Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said on a conference call Wednesday that Clemons is “really making a case for a third-down role.” Considering where the team is regarding Haason Reddick, Gang Green hopes Clemons continues developing.
Reddick hasn’t reported to the training camp amid a contract dispute and has asked the Jets to trade him.
Against the Commanders, Clemons had just one tackle and missed an assignment on the game’s first drive. Rookie Jayden Daniels ran for a three-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper, and Clemons failed to set the edge. That allowed Daniels to stroll in for the TD.
TAKK MCKINLEY, DL
The former first-round pick of the Falcons has had a standout training camp. During Thursday’s joint practice against the Panthers, McKinley demonstrated his speed and his pass-rushing skills on what would have been a regular-season sack on quarterback Bryce Young.
McKinley also regularly won his one-on-one battles against Panthers offensive linemen during drills. With the depth of the Jets’ defensive line, McKinley could use a standout game to make the coaching staff’s job that much harder, with final cuts coming in less than two weeks.
MALACHI CORLEY, WR
In his preseason debut against Washington, Corley caught four of five targets for 27 yards. He also registered a 33-yard kickoff return and one punt return for no gain.
Coming out of Western Kentucky, Corley’s route running was very limited. The Hilltoppers asked Corley to run simple route concepts, but he used his physical presence and skills after the catch to run over defenders.
Corley mainly played in the slot in college. But during training camp, he has played some on the outside with both Rodgers and Taylor under center.
With many Jets starters, such as Garrett Wilson, not expected to play, Corley will have another opportunity to prove that he should receive meaningful snaps this season. Also, considering he was not used as a returner at Western Kentucky, Corley could use some time redefining his special teams skills.
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