The New York Jets are playing the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday without running back Breece Hall, receiver Adonai Mitchell, guard Dylan Parham and edge rusher Joseph Ossai, but rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is active for the first time since he hurt his ankle in the opener.
Cooper had been on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain since after Week 1. His practice window opened this week, he was limited in each session and he went into the weekend listed as questionable. The club confirmed about 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. kickoff that he would play.
Omar Cooper Jr. is officially active for #NYJvsNE
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 18, 2026
Who did not practice, who was limited
Hall (quad), Mitchell (finger), Parham (knee) and Ossai (ankle) did not take part in any practice this week. Hall, hurt in Week 3, misses a third consecutive game; head coach Aaron Glenn has called him week-to-week. Mitchell, injured in practice more than a month ago, had a procedure on the finger and sits out a fourth straight game with no firm return date.
Three questionable players are available. Along with Cooper, rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq cleared the concussion protocol after limited work early in the week and a full session on Friday, and safety Dane Belton (knee) is active after limited practices. Cornerback Nahshon Wright and defensive tackle Jack Heflin are the other inactives.
What it means in Foxborough
Braelon Allen carries the load in the backfield again, with Isaiah Davis behind him. On the line, Jordan Meredith starts at left guard in Parham’s place and Kohl Levao is the only reserve interior lineman, so one more injury inside would force a shuffle.
Cooper’s return matters most in the passing game. With Mitchell still out, the rookie steps straight into a starting role as the Jets’ No. 2 receiver.
New England, by contrast, is close to full strength. Receiver A.J. Brown came off injured reserve, cornerback Christian Gonzalez is back from a shoulder injury, and running back TreVeyon Henderson and left tackle Will Campbell, both questionable, are active, as Ian Rapoport had reported on Sunday morning.
#Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) and LT Will Campbell (ankle), both of whom are questionable, are likely to play against the #Jets, sources say. With AJ Brown returning, NE is close to full health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2026
The Patriots’ secondary is the one area of concern for them: cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (neck), Karon Prunty (hamstring) and Channing Canada (hamstring) are inactive.
What comes next
The Jets host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. EDT. The Patriots turn around quickly for a Thursday night trip to the Chicago Bears on October 22. Follow the game in the Jets-Patriots Game Center and every club’s status on our injuries page.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.