The Jets offense and defense will work new players, both 2017 draft picks, into the mix against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland this afternoon.
Rookie tight end Jordan Leggett is active for the first time this season. Leggett injured his knee in the preseason and didn't even participate in practice the first four weeks of the regular season. But this week Leggett was limited the first two practices and then went full on Friday. And now that he's active today, he is in line to make his NFL debut at TE and on special teams.
WR Jalin Marshall's four-game NFL suspension was up this week but he has not been moved to the active roster yet and will not play vs. the Browns.
On defense, rookie CB Derrick Jones will also be active for the first game this season after injuries to corners Darryl Roberts and Juston Burris have landed them on the inactive list.
Head coach Todd Bowles announced on Friday that RB Matt Forte, DL Kony Ealy and both veteran corners would be out for this game. Forté was also out last week against the Jaguars, but Bilal Powell and rookie Elijah McGuire turned on the jets as the running game amassed 256 yards and reeled off two 60-yards-plus touchdown runs in the same game for the first time in franchise history.
TE Eric Tomlinson has been announced as the starter on offense in place of Forté. On defense, David Bass is listed as the starter in place of Ealy, who had four pass defenses and an interception against the Jaguars.
The Jets' complete inactive list for today's game:
■ QB Christian Hackenberg
■ RB Matt Forté
■ CB Darryl Roberts
■ CB Juston Burris
■ LB Obum Gwacham
■ DL Kony Ealy
■ LB Josh Martin
Bowles' five gameday captains are QB Josh McCown, CB Buster Skrine, S/ST Rontez Miles, LB Demario Davis and G Brian Winters. McCown, Skrine and Davis all played for the Browns in recent seasons.
The Jets will wear green jerseys and green pants against the Browns. This is only the second time under Bowles that the team will be wearing green/green (not counting their Kelly green Thursday night unis vs. the Bills in 2015). The Jets have won their last two games in green/green — at Tennessee in 2014 and home vs. Baltimore last season.
Walt Anderson is the referee. This will be Anderson's 16th Jets game as referee since 2003. He also presided at the Jets' "Win And We're In Game" against Cincinnati in 2009 and last year vs. the Ravens.
