The Jets will likely be without two of their young stars against the Dolphins as both CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and RB Breece Hall (knee) are doubtful for Sunday's game in Miami.

"Barring something magical happening in the next couple of days, they're doubtful," interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. "But the rest of the group [Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses] is trending in the right direction."

Brandin Echols will start in Gardner's place if the third-year CB is inactive. Echols has both of the Jets' interceptions this season and has two career pick-sixes off Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa has been one of the league's most efficient passers since returning from injury in Week 7. His 116.3 passer rating ranks second in the NFL and he's thrown 13 touchdowns to 1 interception in that span.

"He's this guy with elite accuracy," Ulbrich said. "He's a problem solver, he's a quick processor. He really reminds me of playing against Drew Brees all these years. He makes fast decisions, he gets to the second or third read immediately and I think the offense is built around his strengths because everything is rhythm based with their offense.

"It's going to be a great challenge for our back end. You have to affect Tua as far as his ability to pass as far as pass rush and getting him off his spot."

Hall is dealing with the same knee injury that caused him to miss practice last Wednesday and Thursday.

"There's a little bit of an MCL, a little bit of a hyperextension," Ulbrich said. "Not feeling quite right."

Assuming Hall doesn't play, the Jets' stable will feature a pair of rookies in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis as well as return specialist Kene Nwangwu, who was signed to the active roster earlier this week.

"Hate to overuse a word, but we're fortunate in that way, too, from the running back depth," Ulbrich said. He added of Davis: "The more [opportunities], the more you're going to see special stuff from him. I really believe he's got some special qualities. I think he's one of the best outside zone runners on our team, I think he's got an amazing ability out of the backfield as far as a receiver is concerned.

"Elite traits and the more he starts to really learn this game and all the nuance and the detail that a veteran guy has, the better version of him we're going to see. I'm so excited about Isaiah and his future in this league."

Davis, who played a career-high 12 snaps on offense last week against the Seahawks, had his first-career touchdown. He finished with 3 receptions and 1 rushing attempt.

"I am just trying to stack days right now and play my role in the offense," he said. "If Breece is out and my role is different, I am just going to try and execute my job to the best of my ability."

Penn State Reunion
After two seasons as teammates at Penn State (2022-24), Jets rookie LT Olu Fashanu, drafted No. 11 overall, and Dolphins first-round pick (No. 21) DE Chop Robinson will line up opposite each other for the first time as pros when New York visits Miami in Week 14.

"At Penn State, [Robinson] forced me to get improve," Fashanu said. "When you go against someone that elite, it kind of forces you to improve your game. In terms of guys that I went against in practice, it never got better than that."

Fashanu will make his third consecutive start for the Jets Sunday in place of veteran LT Tyron Smith, who was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. Last week vs. Seattle, Fashanu did not allow a sack or pressure in 42 pass block snaps. Robinson, who has been more effective from the left edge, has played in 12 games (1 start) this season and registered 3.5 sacks, 8 QB hits and 5 tackles for loss.

"The number one thing that your see when you watch [Robinson's] film is his explosiveness, especially off the line," Fashanu said. "He's a super twitchy guy, super quick, has an elite get off and I think that's what really makes him disruptive, especially in the pass game."

Hydration Is Key
December trips to Miami are always welcome as the Jets will trade their 30-degree in Florham Park for Sunday's high of 76 degrees, but it comes with caution.

"Hydration is the biggest part of it because when you're in cold weather, you just don't drink as much," interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said. "You don't feel as tired, as thirsty and guys get dehydrated because they don't think that they're losing the water that the guys would in a warmer climate."

Brandin Echols added of the heat: "The way [the Dolphins] did their stadium, they have the sun on the visitors sideline and they're in the shade. That's the number one factor, for sure."