New York Jets

New York Jets: Three Players Who Must Step Up For Injured Eric Decker

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:53 p.m. ET

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The New York Jets are going to be without wide receiver Eric Decker for the rest of the season. Who are three players that need to step up for the Jets with him out?

It was not good news for the New York Jets on Wednesday that Eric Decker would be undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. The absence of Decker will certainly be felt by the Jets, but there are a lot of young options for the Jets to turn to.

This is Decker’s third season with the Jets, and after a great 2015 season, it is unfortunate to see him out for the remainder of 2016. Decker’s career with the Jets didn’t get off to a great start, as he dealt with a few injuries and his play on the field didn’t live up to his salary. Last season, the addition of Brandon Marshall really helped Decker thrive as a wide receiver.

In 2015, Decker totaled 80 receptions, 1,027 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns. That type of production will be hard for the Jets to replace this season, but they do have some young wide receivers that they like on the roster.

Due to the Jets currently having a 1-4 record, their playoff chances continue to dwindle every week. The loss of Decker will not help that, as they are looking their fifth loss in six weeks on Monday Night Football.

With Decker out for the rest of the season, here are three players that must step up for the Jets.

– Robby Anderson

We have begun to see wide receiver Robby Anderson become part of the offense with Decker out, and now he knows his spot is secure. Anderson is best-suited to be operating in the slot, but he does the height to play on the outside. At 6’3”, 190lbs, Anderson brings some good speed for the Jets’ offense.

So far this season, Anderson has totaled five receptions, 56 receiving yards, and 11.2 yards per catch average. Due to Anderson being an undrafted rookie, he has to work extremely hard just to make the team this season. There was a lot of competition in training camp at wide receiver, and Anderson was arguably the one who shined the brightest.

We have been seeing Anderson as the third receiver for the Jets with Decker out the past two weeks, but he will be challenged by Jalin Marshall. The Jets recently released Jeremy Ross, which is an indication that Marshall will be returning soon. The competition between the two should be good for both, similar to what we saw in the preseason.

Anderson should have the inside track to continue to be the third wide receiver for the Jets, but that can change quickly if he doesn’t perform. There is a lot of potential with Anderson, and let’s see how he can respond.

– Jalin Marshall

The Jets have been without rookie wide receiver Jalin Marshall for the past two games along with Decker due to a torn labrum. Like Anderson, Marshall was a star for the Jets in training camp, but we haven’t seen that offseason success translate to the regular season.

In three games, Marshall has totaled five receptions and 59 receiving yards. Marshall was also very good for the Jets on special teams in the preseason, but we have also yet to see that translate. Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Marshall was the culprit of one of the strangest fumbles you will ever see on a kickoff. The fumble resulted in a Chiefs touchdown and was one of eight turnovers on that dreadful day in Kansas City.

Due to the Jets being healthy at wide receiver when Marshall was, he was the fourth option behind Brandon Marshall, Decker, and Quincy Enunwa. Marshall will be battling with Anderson for playing time, but there should be enough passes to go around for the both of them.

Due to Decker being out, all attention will be on Brandon Marshall. This will allow a player like Jalin Marshall to have favorable matchups that he can take advantage of.

– Ryan Fitzpatrick

A lot of the blame for the Jets’ struggles this season have gone on the shoulders of Ryan Fitzpatrick. After setting the single-season touchdown record for the Jets in 2015, his performances have been disastrous this season.

This season, Fitzpatrick has totaled five touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, and a completion percentage under 60%. Now, Fitzpatrick will be asked to turn his season around without his second-best wide receiver, and arguably his best red zone weapon. Decker’s consistency for the Jets in the red zone has been one of the best things that he has brought to the table the past two seasons, and it will be missed.

The Jets have struggled a lot in the red zone this season, and they will need to find someone to help score touchdowns. It will be Fitzpatrick’s job to help players like Jalin Marshall, Robby Anderson, and newly acquired Austin Seferian-Jenkins to be in the position to help fill the void left by Decker.

With the Jets’ season already on life support and the losses mounting, the Jets need Fitzpatrick to shine in the absence of Decker. The Jets still have some good weapons without Decker, and will be the job of Fitzpatrick to improve as a passer.

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