With the uncertain availability of the Jets' two top receivers -- Garrett Wilson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (hip) -- this week ahead of Sunday's Week 7 game against visiting Carolina, HC Aaron Glenn was asked Wednesday about the development of rookie Arian Smith.
"As a receiver, man, he's done a really good job," Glenn said, referring to Smith. "As you can see, he could take the top off in some of these games. There were some times that we got to give him a chance on some of them, deep balls, one on one."
The speedy rookie from Georgia did not have a reception (on a single target) against Denver last Sunday in London. He did, however, take the field on more than half of the snaps on offense (34 of 57, 60%). Overall this season, Smith has appeared in all 6 games, has 4 catches (from 6 targets) for 24 yards (6.0 per catch) and 1 TD. He has been impressive as part of the Jets' special teams. Smith and Kene Nwangwu combined to down a punt deep in Denver territory last week, and on the next play DE Micheal Clemons was held in the end zone for a 2-point safety by the Jets.
"Here's what's been more impressive with him, is how he's done on special teams also," Glenn said. "So, he's been a big part of what we've done when it comes to the punt team. And for our punter [Austin McNamara] to net 49 yards, a lot of that was because of what he's doing and a lot of those guys. So it's not just the receiving part that he's excelling in there and doing better at but it's also on specials, which we need them to be to do that."
With the status of Wilson and Reynolds to play out the rest of the week, Smith, veteran Allen Lazard and Tyler Johnson are expected to see more time in practice working with QB Justin Fields, while it's also possible that practice squad player Brandon Smith might end up elevated to face the Panthers.
When it comes to Wilson, one of the team's captains, and Reynolds, Glenn said that they both would not practice on Wednesday. Speaking about Wilson, Glenn said: "We'll see how he progresses during the week." The statement also applies to Reynolds, CB Qwan'tez Stiggers, LB Cam Jones (hip) and CB Michael Carter II (who remains in the concussion protocol). Carter was set to practice on Wednesday.
Wilson, who signed a contract extension earlier this year, sustained the knee injury during the Jets' Week 6 13-11 loss to the Broncos. As the Jets' WR1, Wilson leads the team with 36 receptions for 395 yards and 4 TDs. He was the team's leading receiver in each of the first 5 games to begin the season, and he recorded a season-high 95 receiving yards in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. He made 3 catches for 13 yards last week and is No. 12 in the league in receiving yards (395), No. 9 in receptions (36) and tied for No. 6 in TDs.
Reynolds, who was signed in free agency in March, has contributed 8 receptions (on 12 targets) for 72 yards (9.0 a catch).
