Injury woes have claimed another victim.
New York Jets wide receiver Malik Taylor has been officially sidelined for the rest of the season, as he’s been placed on the “reserve/injured” list, ruling him out for 2024.
To address the gap, the Jets have brought in former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman.
We have signed DL Jaylen Twyman and placed WR Malik Taylor on Reserve/Injured.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 18, 2024
Taylor’s Misfortune Opens Door for New Talent on the Jets
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported that Taylor was “on track to vie for a spot” on the 53-man roster before his injury struck.
The #Jets signed DL Jaylen Twyman and placed WR Malik Taylor on injured reserve — which ends Taylor’s season.
Taylor was trending toward pushing for a spot on the 53 before his injury.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 18, 2024
Taylor, 28, was a lesser-known former Aaron Rodgers teammate who joined the Jets last offseason. He played in three games, recording two catches for 13 yards.
Taylor’s most memorable contributions with the Jets didn’t show up in the stats. In Week 8 against the New York Giants, he drew a crucial 30-yard pass interference penalty in overtime, setting up Greg Zuerlein’s game-winning field goal. Additionally, in the preseason opener, Taylor caught a 57-yard pass from Zach Wilson during the Hall of Fame game against the Cleveland Browns—a moment that went viral on “Hard Knocks” thanks to Rodgers’ influence over the play via headset.
A year ago in the Hall of Fame game, Zach Wilson gave #Jets fans a glimmer of hope that he still had it after a 57-yard strike to Malik Taylor.
"That was a dime & a half," Wilson told himself. 🤣
Robert Saleh said, "What a f****** throw!"#JetUp pic.twitter.com/gOWSdcBbkO
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) August 1, 2024
With Taylor’s injury, a spot opens up on the 53-man roster, providing an opportunity for another player to step up.
**A New Name to Watch on Defense**
Taylor’s placement on injured reserve has freed up a spot on the Jets’ 90-man roster, with one preseason game remaining.
Jaylen Twyman, 25, originally entered the NFL as the No. 199 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He spent his first year and a half with the Minnesota Vikings before an 11-month stint with the Dolphins. Recently, Twyman played with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL. His contract with the UFL was terminated so he could join the Jets in August 2024.
Twyman has yet to see regular-season action in his NFL career and faces a tight timeframe to make an impression with the Jets. With the last week of training camp wrapping up and the preseason finale against the Giants approaching, Twyman will need to showcase his skills quickly. Even if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, a strong performance could earn him a spot on the expanded 16-man practice squad.
Former @XFLBrahmas DT Jaylen Twyman has signed with the @nyjets 👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/ty6piWc1vR
— United Football League (@TheUFL) August 19, 2024
General Manager Joe Douglas, during his introductory press conference in 2019, pledged to explore every avenue to find talent for the Jets. He has upheld this commitment by actively working the trade market, waiver wire, free agency, and even scouting alternative semi-professional football leagues.
As the Jets head into the 2024 season, they feature one of the most talented rosters in football—a testament to Douglas’ innovative approach and dedication to building a competitive team.
