At his Friday morning press conference, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh delivered some great news.
After missing the last two games with an elbow injury, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will return for the Jets in Week 13.
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A healthy Sheldon Rankins makes a huge difference for the New York Jets:
Over the last two games that he was not available, the Jets certainly missed Rankins’ presence.
A week ago, against the run, the Jets allowed the Chicago Bears to accumulate 127 yards on the ground. Having a healthy Rankins available significantly improves the Jets’ run defense. Especially in a big game, going up against one of the best one-two running back punches in football with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.
The Jets had replaced Rankins the last two games by promoting defensive tackle Tanzel Smart from the practice squad. It also led to Nathan Shepherd and, at times, Solomon Thomas working with the starting defense.
Now, the Jets get back to their usual, dominant starting front four. Rankins, with Quinnen Williams inside gives the Jets one of the best defensive tackle tandems in football.
In the nine games Rankins has played in 2022, he has two sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and 25 total tackles (17 solos).
In a prime matchup on the road, the Jets need as many key players on the field as possible. Having Rankins available for this game is undeniably huge for the Jets’ chances.
The Jets’ dominant, deep front with Rankins, Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff, and Micheal Clemons now has every important player available going into this one. It will be on this front, in particular, as usual, to set the tone for the Jets in this game by consistently generating pressure.