If the New York Jets are going to keep the success going with Ryan Fitzpatrick, injuries cannot be a factor for the team. While New York might have the best defense in the league, their offense is one or two injuries away from falling apart. Fitzpatrick has been on a roll this year as he rides the balanced offense New York has lacked in recent years as he hopes that continues with players coming back healthy in practice.
Injuries have hit the Jets several times this year, but coming out of the bye week almost everyone appears healthy. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, both Chris Ivory and Eric Decker fully participated in practice heading into Week 6 against the Washington Redskins. That is big for Fitzpatrick. According to Brandon Marshall, Ivory is the best back in the league. While that certainly can be debated, he is the main reason the quarterback is finding much success. The same can be said for Decker. As the defense shifts their attention to Brandon Marshall, it leaves Decker open to make plays which is exactly what he has been doing.
One player still not at practice is Bilal Powell. According to Cimini, the third-down running back is dealing with a groin injury leaving his status for Sunday up in the air. If Powell cannot play, Zac Stacy is expected to get a lot more work in. Stacy might not be the only name to watch out for as Week 6 could be when Devin Smith finally gets time on the field. The rookie receiver has been dealing with a rib injury and is now healthy and ready to play. Fitzpatrick told the media that he and Smith need to work on chemistry just like he needs that to get better with everyone.
"We just have to keep working on it," Fitzpatrick said, via NJ.com. "That's with everybody, from Brandon [Marshall] and down the line. Everybody has to come to practice every day to work and continue to get better. I think if we continue to get better, then that's all you can ask for."
Smith along with Quincy Enunwa have replaced former starter Jeremy Kerley on the depth chart. They could be sleepers on Sunday against the Redskins. The Jets know their seasons rises and falls on the success of Fitzpatrick, so having everyone healthy on the field will be big for the quarterback.
"He understands now that he doesn't have to win the game by himself," head coach Todd Bowles via the New York Daily News. "He has a run game. He has guys to throw to. It doesn't have to all fall on him... Early in your career as a quarterback, you try to take over the game and be 'the guy' no matter what. He's matured and grown out of that and become a guy that can command a game and make throws when he has to and when he needs to... and not when he's forced to."
