Head coach Robert Saleh's Jets, after journeying cross-country and suffering an opening-night defeat at San Francisco and then flying home, this weekend have traveled one-third of the distance, to Nashville, TN, with plans to jump-start their season against the Titans (1 p.m. ET kickoff). The game presents several prominent storylines:
■ Aaron Rodgers said after the 32-19 loss to the 49ers, "We expect greatness when we step on the field." Can the Jets QB lead the offense to that high level while captain C.J. Mosley and the Jets' strong defense rally for a return to their NFL top-five form of the previous two seasons?
■ Which Tennessee team will show for its home opener? The Titans are 13-22 from 2022 to present. In their season opener last week, they took a 17-0 lead behind second-year QB Will Levis, their defense held the offense of Chicago rookie QB Caleb Williams to 148 yards, yet two second-half return TDs led the Bears back for their 24-17 win.
■ Will the Callahan regime counter the Jets' expectations and get off to its own delayed flying start? Brian Callahan is the Titans' first-year head coach and offensive play-caller, and his father, Bill Callahan, is the offensive line coach. And among the many NFL teams dad has coached with are the Jets, for whom he was assistant head coach/OL coach from 2008-11.
■ How will the teams weather the storm? Intermittent showers are expected in the area around Nissan Stadium this morning and throughout the game, although it was sunny during the pregame warmup period.
See the Jets arriving at Nissan Stadium for Week 2 against the Titans.
However the Jets fare today, they'll do it without starting RCB D.J. Reed.
Reed, who has 33 starts in his three Jets seasons, suffered a knee injury in San Francisco and was listed as questionable for this game, as was edge DL Micheal Clemons (triceps). Clemons is active, as is nickel CB Michael Carter, also nicked up vs. the Niners.
With Reed out, second-year CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, inactive last week, is suited up for this game. And DL Jalyn Holmes has been elevated from the practice squad for the second straight week after contributing a tackle for loss in his 16 defensive snaps vs. the Niners.
The Jets' have a six-player inactive list for this game:
- CB D.J. Reed
- RB Izzy Abanikanda
- DL Eric Watts
- T Max Mitchell
- T Carter Warren
- DL Leonard Taylor
The Titans provide another storyline to this game with word that Jamal Adams, the Jets' former first-round safety starter, signed after four seasons with Seattle, will make his debut in blue against his former team. Adams was inactive last week with a hip injury.
Tennessee's six-man inactive list:
- CB Julius Wood
- LB Caleb Murphy
- LB James Williams
- OL John Ojukwu
- TE David Martin-Robinson
- TE Thomas Odukoya
