LANDOVER, Md. – Rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg watched from the sideline again Friday night.
Jets coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that the plan was to play the second-round pick, but it’s pretty clear that was not the plan at all. Before the game with the Redskins, Hackenberg went through a vigorous workout on the field – the type of workout someone who knows he is not playing would go through.
Bowles did not shed any light on why Hackenberg did not play a snap for the second straight game.
“Coach’s decision,” Bowles said several times when asked about Hackenberg.
Bryce Petty played the entire second half while Hackenberg could only watch. It is highly unlikely that Hackenberg would play next week against the Giants when the starters usually play into the second half. That would leave the fourth preseason game against the Eagles for Hackenberg to get his only action.
The Jets sustained some injuries in the game, though none seem to be long-term. WR Quincy Enunwa suffered a concussion in the first quarter while covering a punt. He hit returner Jamison Crowder, causing a fumble. It looked like Crowder’s knee hit him in the helmet.
LB Erin Henderson left the game with a shoulder stinger.
CB Dee Milliner injured his biceps, but Bowles said he would be fine.
DL Lawrence Thomas left the game with a shoulder injury.
In a surprising move, C Nick Mangold did not play. Bowles said the coaches simply wanted to get a look at some other players, but it seems suspicious. Mangold, who sustained a neck injury last year, has been in and out of the lineup during training camp. He did not practice twice this week in what Bowles deemed “rest days.”
With Mangold out, Wesley Johnson started. Johnson and Dakota Dozier are battling for the backup center job.
RB Matt Forte dressed for the game, but did not play. Forte only returned to practice this week after sitting out with a hamstring injury.
“He wanted to get some warmup work and we needed to get some warmup work,” Bowles said. “He needs to start getting work every time he gets out there. The more he gets used to his pads, the better.”
DE Muhammad Wilkerson did not play as the Jets stay conservative with him coming off a broken leg. The other players who did not dress for the game were: RB Romar Morris (shoulder), RB Dominique Williams (concussion), S Doug Middleton (leg), TE Wes Saxton (leg) and the players who remain on the physically unable to perform list: WR Devin Smith (knee) and T Breno Giacomini (back).