Despite their 32-19 opening night loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the New York Jets had one big question to answer.
It wasn't about Aaron Rodgers, the run defense, or coaching. It was about their All-Pro cornerback, Sauce Gardner.
The former fourth overall pick in 2022 was seen on the sideline for one of the 49ers scoring drives in the second quarter with his helmet off. Confusion began to run rampant for the Jets due to his absence. Before his departure, New York had held 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy at a 3-10 mark.
On the drive Gardner was out, Purdy was 6-6 passing.
During the game, the Jets announced Gardner was sitting for a non-injury-related reason. After the contest, the corner cleared everything up.
"Oh, man. It was a tackle that I made and I just had to get my wind back. … when I felt like I was good, I went back on the field," Gardner said.
New York's top corner was targeted twice in Sunday's game and did not allow a completion. He made one tackle that appeared to injure his shoulder but seemed fine afterward.
Getting the wind knocked out of you isn't uncommon in football - especially at the NFL level. At the very least one of the side stories from the Jets' loss should be shut down now.
