The New York Jets are less than two hours away from taking on the Cleveland Browns but will be shorthanded on offense against one of the league’s best defenses.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard will not play due to an illness. Lazard did not practice this week and was listed as questionable coming into the game.
“WR updates on @NFLGameDay Kickoff from Cleveland just now: #Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) should be able to go, provided everything goes well in warmups. #Jets WR Allen Lazard (illness) won’t play tonight. Randall Cobb will be up,” Garafolo wrote.
Lazard was targeted once in their Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders but has just three receptions since Thanksgiving. Not exactly the kind of production they were hoping for from a player they gave a four-year contract to this past offseason.
WR updates on @NFLGameDay Kickoff from Cleveland just now:#Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) should be able to go, provided everything goes well in warmups.#Jets WR Allen Lazard (illness) won’t play tonight. Randall Cobb will be up.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 28, 2023
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The Jets were able to beat the Washington Commanders largely on the efforts of their defense, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. They will likely rely on the same formula against the Browns tonight.
Lazard’s absence might be felt, but not in any huge way given the way they’ve used him recently.
The game will be played on Amazon Prime Video.