Latest injury update gives Jordan Love a reason to breathe a little easier ahead of Packers game in Week 2
New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t face the Packers next Sunday because of a groin injury.
The Green Bay Packers had a tough day on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, particularly on offense with problems up front against Brian Flores’ aggressive defense. Things are about to get a little calmer for quarterback Jordan Love, though, and a latest update is reinforcing that perception.
Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a groin injury during New York’s Sunday win over the Tennessee Titans and is expected to miss two to three weeks. Fitzpatrick was a major addition to the Jets’ defense after the team acquired him in an intra-divisional trade from the Miami Dolphins. Now he won’t play against the Packers on Sunday in New York.
Jets still have ways to cause problems
Nonetheless, the Jets’ problems for Green Bay can come from other spots. Against Minnesota, the Packers’ struggles were much more of an offensive line issue than a question about the weaponry outside. If New York wants to blitz more and apply pressure up front, it has the pieces to do so with an aggressive play-caller in head coach Aaron Glenn.
Still, having fewer pieces in the back end could help the Packers. Fitzpatrick is the starting strong safety for the Jets, and the other safety listed as a starter is Dane Belton. The question now becomes who fills Fitzpatrick’s role. That will likely be Andre Cisco, a free agent addition for New York last season after he left the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A silver lining after a rough Week 1
Green Bay will certainly look to take advantage of that loss. Fitzpatrick is one of the best safeties in football, even though he’s probably not in his prime anymore. He remains a solid player, and the fact that the Packers won’t have to face him in Week 2 is at least a silver lining after a disappointing offensive performance against the Vikings.
The Packers need answers on the offensive line before anything else, but facing a Jets secondary without its best safety gives Jordan Love and the passing game one fewer obstacle this Sunday.
