PITTSBURGH — The Jets’ secondary depth was stretched to the limit Sunday night.
They entered the game with three starters in the secondary, then lost another starter and a backup during the game.
Cornerback DJ Reed was inactive for the game with a groin injury.
The Jets had him considered questionable for the game. Reed injured his groin during last Monday’s loss to the Bills. Michael Carter II was declared out Friday with a back injury.
Safety Chuck Clark went on injured reserve after suffering a sprained ankle during the Bills game.
During the game, the Jets lost safety Tony Adams to a hamstring injury and backup safety Ashtyn Davis to a concussion.
This left Sauce Gardner as the only Jets starting defensive back remaining in the game. During the second half, the Jets saw Kendall Sheffield, an elevation from the practice squad, play significant minutes.
Brandin Echols started in place of Reed. Isaiah Oliver started at nickel corner in place of Carter, but had to move to safety after Adams and Davis were both injured.
Jalen Mills, who was also elevated to the practice squad, was a surprise starter at safety in place of Clark.
Adams left the game at halftime, then Davis left the game to be evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter and did not return.
The Jets also lost two offensive linemen during the game. Starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker left the game in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. His replacement Xavier Newman suffered a scary injury in the third quarter.
He was blocked by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen after an Aaron Rodgers interception and hit the ground hard. He was placed on a backboard and carried off the field.
Ulbrich said Newman went to a local hospital and tested negative and Newman could return home with the Jets.
“Thank God the tests came back negative,” Ulbrich said. “He’s coming back with the team. It’s a huge relief.
There has been speculation that WR Mike Williams could be traded after the team acquired Davante Adams.
There is a belief in the NFL that Williams could end up being traded to the Steelers, but the Jets were not going to trade him before Sunday’s game.
Williams made a huge catch in the game on a fourth down.
Others inactive besides Reed and Carter were: OT Carter Warren, OT Max Mitchell, RB Israel Abanikanda, DE Braiden McGregor and WR Malachi Corley.
