The New York Jets received some late injury news, which is never good.

Starting wide receiver Josh Reynolds popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue. He did not practice.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said Justin Fields “could be without starting receiver Josh Reynolds” in the Week 2 Buffalo Bills game because of this new injury.

Reynolds Is a Big Piece of What the Jets Do on Offense

In Week 1, Reynolds played 97% of the offensive snaps (62). “No doubt who the Jets WR2 is (Reynolds),” Cimini reacted to that level of participation.

The production wasn’t insane for Reynolds in the season opener: two receptions for 18 receiving yards. He was targeted three times in the game.

However, he contributed as a key run blocker on the perimeter. The Jets finished with 182 total rushing yards; they toted the rock 39 times, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and scored three times.

Unlikely Hero Could Emerge for the Jets

On Sunday, September 7, veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard was a healthy scratch. It raised immediate questions about his future on the team.

On Monday, September 8, NFL Insider Connor Hughes said there is a chance that Lazard gets cut “in the coming days.”

However, a lot can change in the NFL. The Jets parted ways with Xavier Gipson after his costly fumble during the Pittsburgh Steelers game. He has since been claimed on waivers by the New York Giants. Now Reynolds is battling a new injury.

“Veterans Tyler Johnson and Allen Lazard, inactive last week, likely would join [Garrett] Wilson as the top three receivers for the game if Reynolds is inactive,” Cimini revealed.

That Is Why You Don’t Make Rash Moves

There was some noise from fans on social media urging the team to cut ties with Lazard this offseason. The team didn’t listen.

This offseason Lazard took an $8.5 million pay cut to stick around. He is now signed to a very manageable one-year deal for $2.5 million with $1.75 million guaranteed.

Lazard isn’t a star receiver, but he is an NFL receiver. He provides valuable depth for the Jets, and that is about to come in handy.

An unexpected injury to Reynolds opens the door for Lazard to step up to the plate in a time of need.

Lazard should have no issues filling in as a run blocker, but the team will need reliability in the passing game. That may be more difficult to envision.

NFL analyst Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life revealed on social media that Lazard has been the league leader in drop percentage over the last two seasons.

Reynolds doesn’t get a lot of targets, but he gets some. The Jets need a guy who can deliver when called upon. Lazard, when his head is screwed on straight, is a very servicable player.

Across his eight years in the NFL, the former Iowa State product has 229 career receptions, 3,077 receiving yards, and has scored on 27 occasions.