LAS VEGAS — Veteran Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb was inactive for the second straight game last week against the Chargers.
Cobb, a 13-year veteran, was a healthy scratch against the Chargers after missing the Giants game with a shoulder injury.
Cobb was short with his answers when asked this week about his feelings on being inactive.
“That was my first healthy scratch of my career,” Cobb said. “I think anybody that plays football would like to play football. I’d love to be on the field.”
Cobb, 33, has just three catches for 20 yards this season.
He was supposed to be playing with his longtime friend and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Instead, Rodgers is injured, and Cobb has been part of an offense that looks disjointed.
The Jets are searching for ways out of this slump and have gone with younger receivers like Xavier Gipson over Cobb.
Coach Robert Saleh said the decision to make Cobb inactive last week also had to do with getting players who contribute on special teams active.
Saleh acknowledged it was a tough conversation to tell Cobb he was not playing.
“Yeah, especially with how hard he works and the type of leadership he provides in the locker room,” Saleh said. “Love Cobby, love everything about him. You can see why he’s had so much success in his career, and it’s never easy, but his story definitely is not over here with this team.”
It is hard to see Cobb getting on the field Sunday against the Raiders because the Jets still need the help on special teams that Saleh referenced.
They are missing some key special teams players like Justin Hardee and Chazz Surratt, leading them to need players like Irv Charles to be active, taking an active wide receiver spot from Cobb.
The Jets elevated OL Xavier Newman and WR Malik Taylor off of the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Newman could start at RG.
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