The Jets secondary has become a primary concern.
One day after placing safety Chuck Clark on injured reserve to sideline him for at least four games, the Jets were without cornerbacks D.J. Reed (groin) and Michael Carter II (back) during Wednesday’s walk-through.
Reed starts on the outside and Carter in the slot.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich — who calls defensive plays — indicated that he is not optimistic about the possibility of Reed and Carter playing Sunday against the Steelers, which would wipe out 60 percent of the starting secondary.
Those spots likely would go to safety Ashtyn Davis, outside cornerback Brandin Echols and slot cornerback Isaiah Oliver, alongside All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner and safety Tony Adams.
“We’re fortunate to have great depth at that position,” Ulbrich said. “So as much as that can give you some angst, it’s also exciting from the standpoint you give another guy an opportunity.
“We’ve been so fortunate this year to have Isaiah Oliver. He is the Swiss Army knife back there. He’s been able to play safety, nickel and corner without blinking, so he’s doing a good job.”
The real problems would begin if the Jets sustain one more injury and have to dig further into the depth.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson could make his first start of the season. Wilson missed the first five games of the season due to injury and was active as the backup to Justin Fields last week.
Wilson worked with the first-team offense in Wednesday’s practice, according to reports out of Pittsburgh.
The Jets worked out three kickers — Riley Patterson, Cade York and Matt Coghlin — on Wednesday. Patterson, who has made 59 of 67 career field goals, offers the most experience.
The timing is curious considering Greg Zuerlein is making a career-low 66.7 percent of his field goals, including two misses in Monday’s 23-20 loss.
Zuerlein was near-automatic last season, and the Jets have insisted that he is not dealing with an injury.
Rookie receiver Malachi Corley declined comment on yielding jersey No. 17 to Davante Adams. Corley, who wore No. 11 at Western Kentucky, is now in No. 14.
“We had some talks and worked through it,” Adams said.
QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle) and WR Mike Williams (personal reasons) also did not practice.
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Rodgers is expected to practice Thursday.
TE Tyler Conklin (limited), EDGE Will McDonald (shoulder), RT Morgan Moses (knee), LT Tyron Smith (rest) and LB Chazz Surratt (heel) were limited.
LB C.J. Mosley, who returned from a three-game absence to play nine snaps last week, should get a heavier workload.
“I thought last week was a great just-get-him-warmed-up [game], get him integrated again because he’s missed quite a bit of time,” Ulbrich said. “And the healthier he gets, the more he’ll play for us.”
