The Jets hit rock bottom in their 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, a game in which the Zach Wilson era may have finally come to an end after the team sent Tim Boyle onto the field late in the third quarter with the team down 29-6.
Head coach Robert Saleh mentioned a potential youth movement for the team and he at least went ahead with those plans, especially on offense. Players such as Jeremy Ruckert, Jason Brownlee and Israel Abanikanda saw more playing time while tight end C.J. Uzomah essentially became a non-factor.
Here’s the snap count breakdown for offense and defense from Week 11 against the Bills.
Offense
#Jets snap counts (offense): The theme — youth. Rookies: Tippmann, Warren, Gipson, Brownlee and Abanikanda. Uzomah a non-factor. Becton injury opened the door for Warren. A patchwork look all around. pic.twitter.com/oMg8b6ch3F
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 20, 2023
- The youth movement certainly started on offense. Second-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert played 24 of 57 snaps. C.J. Uzomah was almost non-existant, playing just six snaps. Tyler Conklin saw 38 of the 57 snaps, but this may finally signal the switch to Ruckert as the No. 2 tight end moving forward.
- In the backfield, it was still Breece Hall’s show, handling the early downs. Hall played 36 of the 57 snaps while Dalvin Cook, who worked as the third-down back, played 14 snaps. Rookie Israel Abanikanda saw his first NFL action with 10 snaps and totaled 16 yards on two touches.
- Xavier Gipson out-snapped Allen Lazard 45-37. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues. Jason Brownlee saw 19 snaps, easily his highest total of the season.
- Carter Warren filled in at left tackle for the injured Mekhi Becton, playing 49 of the 57 snaps. The Jets should be getting Duane Brown this week. The Jets have until Thursday to activate Brown from injured reserve.
Defense
#Jets snap counts (defense): Heavy workload for the defense. Have to wonder how that will affect them on a short week, having to face the speedy Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/w5bm507sXJ
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 20, 2023
- Another high snap total for the defense with 76 total snaps, particularly for C.J. Mosley, D.J. Reed, Sauce Gardner and Jordan Whitehead playing all 76 snaps. Quincy Williams played 73.
- Brandin Echols filled in for Michael Carter II in the slot and saw 57 of the 76 snaps. Adrian Amos filled in at safety after Tony Adams left due to injury. Amos ended up playing 43 of the 76 snaps after Adams played 33 snaps.
- Even Will McDonald found some success in limited action, tallying a sack in just 12 snaps. McDonald is still at the bottom of the rotation. At the very least, he’s made it easy for the Jets to move on from Carl Lawson after the season, which isn’t saying too much right now, but it’s a start for the 15th pick of the 2023 draft.
