Jets WR Arian Smith has season-ending ACL injury and DL David Onyemata out after core muscle surgery

New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith will miss the entire season due to a torn ACL in his knee, which required surgery. The speedy receiver, a fourth-round pick in the previous year's draft, was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday and informed by coach Aaron Glenn on Wednesday that he will not return this season. Glenn stated, "Tough, but he'll bounce back very well."

Defensive tackle David Onyemata will be sidelined for several weeks following core muscle surgery. According to Glenn, Onyemata, who is also on the injured reserve list, could return before the end of the season.

Both players sustained their injuries during the Jets' 20-17 overtime loss to Green Bay on Sunday. Smith had no catches in the first two games and only one target, a dropped pass in the opener against Tennessee. His inconsistency as a rookie led to just seven catches for 52 yards on 16 targets in 16 games last season. The former Georgia standout, known for his speed, was seen as a potential vertical threat for head coach Frank Reich's offense. The Jets signed undrafted rookie Malik McClain from their practice squad to help fill Smith's role.

Onyemata, a one-year, $10.5 million contract signing with the Jets in March, reunites him with Glenn. The two had previously worked together in New Orleans from 2016 through the 2020 seasons while Glenn was the Saints' defensive backs coach. The 34-year-old faced challenges with drops during college and struggled to make an impact for New York, recording a quarterback hit and no tackles in the Jets' first two games.

The absence of Onyemata could mean increased playing time for defensive linemen Jowon Briggs and rookie fourth-round pick Darrell Jackson Jr.