Haason Reddick exclusion a big risk for Jets loss to 49ers

Haason Reddick exclusion a big risk for Jets loss to 49ers

The Jets had a Haason Reddick-sized hole in their pass rush on Monday night.

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy faced little resistance in Monday night’s 32-19 loss. The Jets managed just one sack, while Reddick hasn’t had a shot in months.

Jets coach Robert Saleh dodged a question Tuesday morning about his feelings now that the postponement has extended into the season and played a major role in the loss. It appears the Jets will be without the former Eagles linebacker again for their Week 2 road game against the 0-1 Titans.

Haason Reddick did not report to the Jets for Week 1. Getty Images

“Regardless of how I feel about it, we’ve got the guys that are here. We’re excited to work with the guys that are here,” Saleh said on a conference call. “I’ll say it again, the minute he walks through those doors, we’re going to give him a big hug and a playbook and get to work.”

It remains to be seen whether the Jets can give Reddick a playbook for Week 2, as the star pass-rusher is the only player who has not yet left his team for Week 1.

The Jets dealt a conditional third-round pick to the Eagles, effectively making Reddick a replacement for Bryce Huff, but right now they just have a big hole in their defense.

Reddick wants an extension and is willing to accept the financial consequences of his impasse. He will have to pay about $5 million in fines for his absence and will lose about $800,000 for missing Monday’s game.

Saleh did not give the impression that a solution was in sight.

Robert Saleh said the Jets will make do with what they have now that Reddick has opted out. Darren Yamashita-Imagn-Images
The 49ers celebrate a touchdown on Monday night. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Reddick couldn’t have fixed the ground game’s issues, but he likely could have improved the pass rush without putting too much pressure on Purdy.

Safety Tony Adams was the only one to record the sack, though Saleh complimented the 49ers on their strategy.

“I thought San Francisco did a really good job with their game plan in terms of chipping in on the ends and getting the ball out of the way early,” Saleh said. “I don’t think Brock held on long enough to really have an impact. We had some chances, couldn’t get around him and take him down, but kudos to them, they did a really good job of getting the ball out of his hands.”