Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is addressing the Jets’ biggest defensive issue this season: tackling. After witnessing his team miss 20 tackles in a 31-6 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday, Ulbrich is taking a back-to-basics approach.
Tackling Emphasis in Practice
The Jets wore pads during position drills on Wednesday and will do so for their entire practice on Thursday. According to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams are allowed limited full-padded practices during the season.
“If there are 15 minutes in [position drills], 14 and a half will be on tackling,” Ulbrich said. “We’re going back to fundamentals and core principles. I gave a tackling presentation to the team today — not just the defense — so everyone knows exactly how we tackle, how we’re attacking, and how we’ll fix this.”
Cornerback Sauce Gardner, who missed a key tackle against the Cardinals, acknowledged Ulbrich’s efforts but emphasized that fixing the issue lies with the players.
“We know how to tackle,” Gardner said. “We just have to do it. That’s really it. We don’t necessarily need a presentation. I get why he did it, but we’re professionals. We’ve got to handle our business — myself included.”
Injury Updates
Offensive lineman Tyron Smith missed Wednesday’s practice due to a neck injury sustained on Sunday. His status for the upcoming game against the Colts remains uncertain.
“They’re still evaluating,” Ulbrich explained. “We’re gathering more information and images. Hopefully, by the weekend, we’ll have a clearer picture of his availability.”
In Smith’s absence, rookie Olu Fashanu stepped in during the second half against the Cardinals. He will start if Smith is sidelined.
“I think he played well,” Ulbrich said. “Of course, there were rookie moments. He’ll face bumps along the way, but he’s shown a lot of promise. We’re thankful to have him. The way he stepped up was impressive for a rookie, and the more he plays, the better he’ll get.”
