Jets' $44 Million Pass-Catcher Healthy Scratch vs. Patriots in Week 18

High-priced offseason free-agent addition inactive for second game in a row

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jan 7, 2024 11:58 AM EST

In this story:

No Aaron Rodgers. No Zach Wilson. No Allen Lazard.

The New York Jets close out the season against the New England Patriots on January 7 with a lineup drastically different from the one that took the field in Week 1. While Rodgers and Wilson are out due to injury, it appears Lazard is a healthy scratch for the regular season finale.

Lazard and veteran defensive end Carl Lawson headline the Jets' list of seven gameday inactives for Week 18. Rodgers, reserve offensive tackle Austin Deculus, cornerback Bryce Hall and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball are also not active on Sunday.

Practice Squad call-up Austin Seibert is not dressing, either, meaning veteran Greg Zuerlein is good to go. The 36-year-old was dealing with right quad soreness prior to the Week 17 road trip to Cleveland.

Lazard, who has not been listed on the official injury report, will not suit up for the third time this season due to a coach's decision. He was inactive for Thursday Night Football on December 28 and was temporarily benched for the NFL Black Friday Game against Miami on November 24.

It's been a disappointing maiden voyage with the Jets for Lazard, who signed a free-agent deal reportedly worth $44 million this past March. In 14 games, he has totaled 311 receiving yards and one touchdown. The 6-foot-5 receiver secured only 23 of 49 targets in 2023.

Lawson has played only once in the past seven weeks, participating in the December 24 win over Washington. During the final season of a three-year contract reportedly worth $45 million, Lawson has five tackles in six games.

The inactives were revealed 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 pm ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.