After two more injuries, the Jets' secondary depth had reached its limits

PITTSBURGH – The Jets’ secondary strength was stretched to the limit Sunday night.

They entered the game with three starters in the secondary and then lost another starter and a backup during the game.

Cornerback DJ Reed was inactive during the game with a groin injury.

The Jets had him listed as questionable for the game. Reed injured his groin in last Monday's loss to the Bills. Michael Carter II was out Friday with a back injury.

Safety Chuck Clark was placed on the injured list due to an upper ankle sprain in the game against the Bills.

During the game, the Jets lost safety Tony Adams to a hamstring injury and backup safety Ashtyn Davis to a concussion.

That left Sauce Gardner as the Jets' only defensive back still in the game. In the second half, the Jets had practice squad member Kendall Sheffield playing significant minutes.

Brandin Echols started in place of Reed. Isaiah Oliver started at nickel corner in place of Carter, but had to move to safety after Adams and Davis were both injured.

Jalen Mills, also called up from the practice squad, was a surprise starter at safety in place of Clark.

Adams left the game at halftime and then Davis left the game to be checked for a concussion in the third quarter and did not return.

The Jets also lost two offensive linemen during the game. Starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker left the game in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. His replacement, Xavier Newman, suffered a scary-looking injury in the third quarter.

He was blocked by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen after an interception by Aaron Rodgers and landed hard on the ground. He was placed on a backboard and carried off the field.

Ulbrich said Newman went to a local hospital, tests came back negative and Newman was able to fly home on the jets.

“Thank God the tests came back negative,” said Ulbrich. “He is traveling back with the team. This is a big relief.”

There was speculation that WR Mike Williams could be traded after the team acquired Davante Adams.

There's a belief around the NFL that Williams could end up being traded to the Steelers, but the Jets didn't want to trade him before Sunday's game.

Williams made a big catch in the game on fourth down.

The other inactives besides Reed and Carter were: OT Carter Warren, OT Max Mitchell, RB Israel Abanikanda, DE Braiden McGregor and WR Malachi Corley.