The New York Jets ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for Sunday's home opener against the Green Bay Packers, removing their most accomplished interceptor as the defense remains in the midst of an 18-game interception drought.
Injury forces Fitzpatrick out after early-season groin issue
Fitzpatrick sustained a groin injury on the sixth play of the season-opening win at Tennessee and did not practice this week, the team announced Friday. The Jets confirmed he will not play against Green Bay.
The club acquired Fitzpatrick in March in a trade that sent a 2026 seventh-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins. He made his Jets debut last Sunday in Nashville before exiting with the injury.
ESPN reported that Fitzpatrick did not practice this week and is likely to miss at least one more game.
Backup plans and matchup context
With Fitzpatrick unavailable, the Jets will turn to depth players in the secondary. Yahoo! News reported that Andre Cisco — a starter last season — is expected to see playing time opposite Dane Belton.
The absence comes as New York prepares to defend a heavy passing attack. Yahoo! News previewed the matchup noting Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s outing against Minnesota, underscoring the test the Jets face without one of their veteran additions available.
The defense has gone 18 straight games without an interception (571 pass attempts), a drought dating to the final game of the 2024 season.
Fitzpatrick, who has 21 career interceptions, was ruled out for the home opener; the Jets will now need others in the secondary to compensate for both his absence and the unit’s recent inability to force turnovers.
New York’s coaching staff must balance schematic adjustments and personnel rotations to limit explosive plays and manufacture pressure without its veteran addition on the field. How Andre Cisco and the rest of the defensive backs respond on short notice will shape the Jets’ ability to hang with a pass-first opponent and try to end a historically long drought in interceptions.
Fitzpatrick’s absence removes a key veteran from the equation as New York looks to start the season 2-0 at home.
