Two Well-Paid Veterans Land on Jets' Inactive List vs. Broncos

Edge rusher and receiver take a seat for crucial Week 5 road test

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Oct 8, 2023 4:35 PM EDT

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The New York Jets are leaving two veteran players on the bench for their Week 5 road game against the Denver Broncos.

Defensive end Carl Lawson and receiver Mecole Hardman headlined the team's list of seven gameday inactives on Sunday. With neither having appeared on the injury report this past week, the two veterans are presumedly healthy scratches.

Both men were notable free-agent signings during general manager Joe Douglas's tenure. Lawson is on the final leg of a three-year deal valued at $45 million according to Spotrac. Hardman inked a one-year, $3.8 million contract this past March.

Lawson has totaled three tackles in three games this season, logging 52 defensive snaps. Recovering from a back issue that bothered him in August, he was also a gameday inactive during Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

Hardman was active each of the season's first four weeks but was used sparingly. The speedy slot receiver, who won two Super Bowls as a Kansas City Chiefs' second-round draft pick, has played only 10 percent of Jets' offensive snaps. He has one six-yard catch on one target.

It could be worthwhile to keep an eye on Hardman's X account in the hours after the game. A couple of his recent social media posts have hinted at frustration from the lack of usage.

Ruled out on Friday, cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Brandin Echols were listed as inactive along with a trio of rookies on Sunday afternoon. Fifth-round running back Israel Abanikanda, sixth-round linebacker Zaire Barnes and undrafted receiver Jason Brownlee have yet to make their NFL regular season debut.

Two Practice Squad elevations were activated for Sunday's game in Denver. Second-year receiver Irvin Charles and journeyman cornerback Craig James are appearing in a Jets' regular season game for the first time.