Jets lose key defensive starter to injury

Jets safety Chuck Clark‘s troubles staying on the field since leaving Baltimore have continued into this year. The former Ravens strong safety missed only two games over the first six years of his career in Baltimore, but since being traded to New York, he is on track to miss at least 21 games. He missed all 17 games of the 2023 NFL season with a torn ACL, and now, Clark is set to miss at least four more games after being placed on injured reserve, per Jets team reporter Ethan Greenberg.

Clark missed his only season under contract with New York, but the Jets elected to keep him around, re-signing he and fellow free agent Ashtyn Davis while watching Jordan Whitehead walk in free agency. The Jets held an offseason competition for the starting two jobs between Clark, Davis, and Tony Adams after Adams and Whitehead started most of last year. Clark ended up beating out Davis to start the first six games of the season alongside Adams, with Davis getting playing time here and there off the bench.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network pinpointed the sidelining injury as a high-ankle sprain suffered in Monday night’s loss to the Bills. A minimal four-game absence would see Clark returning to the field on Nov. 17 for a Sunday night matchup against the Colts. If Clark isn’t quite ready to return at that point in the season, an additional two weeks would be available for recovery as the Jets’ bye week falls right after the Week 11 contest versus Indianapolis.

With Clark sidelined, the Jets are fortunate to have the safety depth from their position competition this offseason. Davis will be the obvious choice to step in as the new starter in Clark’s absence. The team also rosters veteran Jalen Mills, who has several seasons of starting experience with the Eagles and Patriots.