Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be without one of his favorite targets for at least four games.
The Jets have place veteran Allen Lazard on IR ahead of their Thursday night matchup with the Houston Texans due to a chest injury, among a plethora of roster moves.
Gang Green also placed DT Leki Fotu on IR, released tight end Anthony Firkser, and activated tight end Kenny Yeboah off IR.
While the Jets offense has looked disjointed for most of the season, Lazard has put up decent numbers, hauling in 30 catches for 412 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns.
With Lazard out, the Jets will likely allocate more playing time for Mike Williams, the free agent pickup who has just 11 catches on 19 targets this season. This could also create an opportunity for rookie Malachi Corley. The third-round pick has been a healthy scratch for most of the season, catching his only target for four yards.
Riley Patterson to handle kicking duties
The Jets also signed kicker Riley Patterson to the active roster from their practice squad to handle placekicking duties against the Texans.
Patterson has appeared in 39 NFL games with three different teams (Lions, Jaguars, Browns) and has connected on 88.1 percent of his career field goal attempts.
Both Patterson and rookie Spencer Shrader were signed to the practice squad on Wednesday following a two-day workout with the team. Greg Zuerlein has been placed on IR with a left knee injury.
