Jets WR Elijah Moore could see increased workload vs. Bills
Jets receiver Elijah Moore talks to reporters at camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey on July 29. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Elijah Moore’s snap counts and productivity could finally increase this week.
It would be hard for them to lessen.
Moore only played 10 snaps last Sunday against New England. He was targeted just once. The second-year receiver hasn’t caught a pass since Week 5. This was unimaginable heading into the season when it seemed Moore would be a focal point of coordinator Mike LaFleur’s offense.
LaFleur on Thursday said Moore didn’t play as much last week because the Jets ran two tight end sets “quite a bit” for the first three quarters.
“We’ll continue to incorporate Elijah in some of the stuff, along with (Braxton Berrios), along with the run game, along with the tight ends,” LaFleur said. “We’re trying to get all these guys involved.”
Moore has been upset over not being involved in the offense and had a heated exchange with LaFleur two weeks ago. Robert Saleh sent Moore home and didn’t let him play that Sunday.
The Jets denied Moore’s trade request – the trade deadline was Tuesday. They will continue to work on moving forward with him. LaFleur is confident that Moore is in the right head space to perform.
“I am,” he said. “You’d have to ask him that but again I’ve really liked his approach and I think that he’s in a great mindset to go help this team win football games.”
Moore has not spoken to the media since the trade deadline passed.
As a rookie, Moore led the Jets in receiving yards and total touchdowns when they used him a variety of ways.
LaFleur described Moore as “a huge explosive machine for us” during a five-to-six game stretch last season. LaFleur also said he felt Moore was close earlier this season to “have some more of those explosive plays.”
Moore should have opportunities Sunday against Buffalo. Corey Davis could miss his second straight game with a knee injury. He’s yet to practice this week. Rookie Garrett Wilson is the Jets’ leading receiver and could garner a lot of attention from the Bills’ defense.
Q gets his due
Quinnen Williams was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, becoming the first Jet to win it since Darrelle Revis in December, 2019. Williams had 23 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in five October games.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
