While Jets rookie LT Olu Fashanu's season is over, prominent veterans QB Aaron Rodgers (knee), DT Quinnen Williams (hamstring), CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) all are battling injuries that could have an impact on their availability over the final two games. The Jets (4-11) return to the road Sunday for a matchup with the Bills (12-3) in Orchard Park, NY.
Rodgers, who's dealt with multiple ailments throughout the season, sustained his latest injury during the Jets' 19-9 loss to the Rams in Week 16. Early in the fourth quarter, Rodgers went down awkwardly as Kam Curl's strip-sack resulted in a Jared Verse fumble recovery.
"The fact that we are in extended walk-through today, we will have more information Thursday when we go full speed and see where he is at," Ulbrich said of Rodgers. "It is just too early to tell his game status, but if I were a betting man, I am betting on Aaron Rodgers to play."
Rodgers, who has hit on 62.8% of his passes for 3,511 yards with 24 TDs and 8 INTs, is one scoring toss shy of 500 TD passes in regular-season action.
"He does whatever it takes to get on the field on Sundays and I anticipate him trying to do the same this week," Ulbrich said.
Gardner also exited in the second half against the Rams and was replaced by Brandin Echols. Over 14 games, Gardner has 8 PDs, 46 tackles and 1 INT.
"He's another one that it's just too early," Ulbrich said of Gardner. "Just talking to him earlier, I know he wants to play and he's going to push hard to do that. I think he relishes these matchups with Buffalo and it's going to be hard to keep him off the field. But it's just too early to tell right now."
Williams, a cornerstone piece of the Jets DL, was inactive against the Rams as Solomon Thomas saw an uptick in playing time (35 reps, 67%).
Fashanu, who took 533 offensive snaps his rookie season and made seven starts, has a Plantar fascia injury, and is headed to injured reserve. Max Mitchell, who replaced Fashanu against the Rams, or Carter Warren will start at LT against the Bills.
It also remains unclear who will kick for the Jets in Western New York. Anders Carlson, who missed an extra point and a 49-yard field goal in the loss to the Rams, has connected on 8-of -10 field-goal attempts and 9-of-11 extra-point attempts in five games with the Jets. The team signed Greg Joseph to the practice squad Tuesday and Greg Zuerlein, who has been on injured reserve since Oct. 30, will also receive consideration.
"He is absolutely part of the equation," Ulbrich said of Zuerlein. "We are going to see how he is doing and if he is feeling up to it and feeling good – we will open up his window potentially. Still have a lot to work through as the week goes on here."
