Jets HC Drops Sauce Gardner Injury Update for Week 2
Week 2 presents a big-time opportunity for the New York Jets: their first divisional matchup. A Sunday meeting with the Buffalo Bills is already on the horizon, and Aaron Glenn’s crew faces a tall task in slowing down Josh Allen.
Gang Green has a mixed bag of an injury report entering the weekend. Fortunately, Glenn provided a huge update on his best player.
Aaron Glenn Provides Positive Sauce Gardner Week 2 Injury Update
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Glenn gave his state of the union. The biggest news is superstar cornerback Sauce Gardner is tracking to suit up on Sunday.
“I’ll start with injuries first,” Glenn said. “We have Jay [Tufele], who has an illness. Most of these guys, there’s a number of evaluations still going on. You guys get the report by the end of the day anyway. Sauce had a groin; I think he’ll be OK. Josh [Reynolds] has a hamstring, so we’ll continue to evaluate that and we’ll know at the end of the day. Other than that, I think we’re pretty clean for the most part. Kene [Nwangwu] is another one. You’ll get that at the end of the day also.”
Gardner suffered his groin ailment in Thursday’s practice, Glenn confirmed. He’ll be limited again on Friday, but all signs point to him being available for the game.
“Yes, that was yesterday in practice,” Glenn said. “He’s going to be out there on a limited basis.”
Glenn also chimed in on the latest with rookie tight end Mason Taylor, who was limited on Thursday with an ankle injury.
“We know in this league that no one is 100%,” Glenn said. “That’s just how it is, even at this time, even though it’s this early, because you go through training camp. Listen, every player fights it. We’ll see exactly where he’s at by game time. He’ll be [practicing] on a limited basis. But he’s tough, he’s competitive, so I put nothing past that player.”
Jets Need All Hands on Deck for Weekend Matchup Against Bills
Simply put, the Jets need Gardner in order to have a chance to compete. The two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro is seeking a rebound year, which got off to a good start in Week 1. In his first game since signing a record contract extension, Gardner shut down Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf to open the year. Glenn was full of praise in the aftermath of the performance.
Gardner’s presence also has a ripple effect on the secondary as a whole. Several players follow his lead, including veteran Brandon Stephens. Stephens, a Jets offseason signing, struggled in his team debut in Week 1. He got beat in coverage several times and missed an interception against Pittsburgh. In what was a two-point loss, outings like the one Stephens had can make the difference. New York remains committed to him for Week 2 (and seemingly beyond).
Considering who the Jets will face on Sunday, they need all hands on deck. Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, has rounded into a top quarterback in the sport. His 2025 debut couldn’t have been much more impressive, either. In a thrilling comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens, he threw for 394 yards and had 4 total touchdowns.
Glenn was forthcoming with Allen applause. He knows that if there’s an opportunity to pull off an upset, it’ll be because folks like Gardner step up.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Makes Feelings Clear on Return
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to document his recovery from an Achilles injury, sharing a workout clip on social media showing him back on the field for drills.
The video, filmed in mid-August but posted this week, appears to be the first time Watson performed on-field drills since undergoing two surgeries. Working with his personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, at the team’s facility, Watson can be heard urging himself on: “Come on four, come on four, be perfect.”
The session was limited, but Watson looked sharp. Given the time that has passed since the clip was recorded, he has likely made additional progress in his rehab.
“See that man,” Watson said in the video. “Putting in that work. Every day.”
The updates on Watson have been scarce. Watson has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. While this does not rule him out for the season, it does guarantee he’ll miss at least the first four games. However, he’s remained around the team’s facility and has been praised for his presence.
“Deshaun’s doing awesome, he’s doing great,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in August. “I’m excited for him. I get to watch him work out as well. I get to be in the meeting room with him every single day. So, he’s doing great.”
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Determined to Return
Watson landed in Cleveland via a 2022 blockbuster trade, and it has not gone smoothly. The former Pro Bowler has gone 9-10 as the starter with the Browns, missing time due to a lengthy suspension and season-ending injuries. He’s passed for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during his Browns tenure.
Owner Jimmy Haslam went as far as to call the 2022 trade for Watson a “swing and miss” this summer.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.
“… [The trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.”
Shortly after Haslam’s comments, Watson seemingly responded on social media.
“Everyone is doubting me. Everyone don’t believe in me,” Watson said in a video. “Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was. But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself… I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”
Browns Face Critical Decision When Deshaun Watson is Healthy
If Watson is cleared to return this season, the Browns could face a tough call. The team already carries three quarterbacks on the active roster — Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel — with Bailey Zappe on the practice squad.
Watson is still tied to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, but Cleveland’s best move may be keeping him on the sideline. The lingering question is whether Watson would accept that role.
“At some point, he’ll be healthy. At some point, he’ll be cleared. What happens when he shows up with a piece of paper in hand that tells the world he’s ready to play?” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said in August. “The Browns may prefer to stash him on the physically unable to perform list, for all of 2025. They owe him the money whether he’s on the roster or not. They qualify for maximum insurance coverage (and eventually cap relief) if he can’t play.”
The Browns continue to navigate Watson’s situation, which remains as complicated as it is costly.
