Jets' Rodgers dealing with knee issue, Fashanu headed to IR

Aaron Rodgers is dealing with an injured knee that has the New York Jets quarterback's status uncertain for the game Sunday at Buffalo, but interim coach Jeff Ulbrich expects he'll play.

Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu's promising first season is over, though, as Ulbrich said the first-round pick will be placed on injured reserve with an injury to the plantar fascia in his left foot.

Rodgers was hurt in the Jets' 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday but remained in the game. The Jets were holding a walkthrough on Tuesday and their next full practice on Thursday, giving Rodgers some extra time to recover.

“In all honesty, it's just too early to tell,” Ulbrich said of Rodgers' game status. “If I'm a betting man, I'm betting on Aaron Rodgers to play.”

When asked if there's some uncertainty as far as Rodgers' availability, Ulbrich pointed out how the 41-year-old quarterback has not missed a game while dealing with knee, ankle and hamstring issues earlier this season.

“With him, probably not, in all honesty," he said. "The guy's played through, you know, he does whatever it takes to get on the field on Sundays and I'd anticipate him trying to do the same thing this week.”

Rodgers has 24 touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season, and he is one TD throw from becoming the fifth player in NFL history with 500 for his career in the regular season.

Fashanu had a solid first NFL season after being the 11th overall pick in April out of Penn State. He began the year as veteran Tyron Smith's backup before filling in at right tackle for two games when Morgan Moses was injured. Fashanu, who played only left tackle in college, also stepped in at right guard for an injured Alijah Vera-Tucker against Houston.

When Smith was lost for the season with a neck injury last month, Fashanu took over as the starter and excelled in five starts. He was hurt midway through the fourth quarter against the Rams and was seen on crutches in the locker room after the game.

Ulbrich said he believed Fashanu would need surgery, but the team later clarified that a procedure won't be required.

“It's unfortunate,” Ulbrich said. “He's having a great rookie season. But at the same time, these injuries sometimes give you an opportunity to step back and really start absorbing some of the information as you were kind of thrown into the fire. He'll use it as an opportunity to grow, I know that.”

Ulbrich said it's too early in the week to know the game statuses for Vera-Tucker (ankle), defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring), cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and safety Tony Adams (ankle) but added that he's hopeful all will be able to play Sunday.

Kicking carousel

The Jets signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad Tuesday and he'll compete with Anders Carlson for the job this week. Ulbrich said Greg Zuerlein, on IR since late October with a knee injury, also could be in the mix.

Carlson, the fourth kicker used by the Jets this season, missed an extra point and a 49-yard field goal try late in the fourth quarter against the Rams. He is 8 of 10 on field goal tries and 9 for 11 on extra points in five games with New York.

“We'll see how it goes and we'll put the best guy out there,” Ulbrich said.

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