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  Rich CiminiOct 16, 2026, 11:49 AM ET

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  Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jets rookie Omar Cooper Jr., who sustained a high ankle sprain on the first drive of the first game of the season, will return Sunday to face the New England Patriots -- a boost to New York's injury-plagued receiving corps.

Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who went out with a concussion in last week's home win over the Cleveland Browns, practiced fully Friday and is "finishing up" his protocol, coach Aaron Glenn said.

With Sadiq and Cooper, both first-round picks, the offense for this road game will be healthier than it has been in weeks, but still not whole.

As expected, running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) were ruled out. It will be Hall's third straight missed game and Mitchell's fourth. Mitchell underwent a surgical procedure last month to repair an injured finger on his right hand. The Jets are hopeful that both can return next week. Left guard Dylan Parham (knee) also will miss his third straight game.

Cooper played only four snaps in his NFL debut, which included one dazzling play -- a 30-yard reception in which he broke several tackles against the Tennessee Titans. He was expected to be the Jets' No. 3 receiver, behind Garrett Wilson and Mitchell, but the receiving corps had to be shuffled because of injuries to Cooper, Mitchell and Tim Patrick, who returned last week from injured reserve.

Cooper was a full participant in practice Friday and will be activated from injured reserve. The Jets have an open roster spot.

"It's a rookie that had a really big catch in that first Tennessee game, things that we expect from him when it comes to the catch-and-run opportunities," Glenn said.

Wilson has dominated the Jets' passing attack with a team-high 31 receptions. The next closest is Sadiq (14). The Jets (2-3) haven't received much production from their second, third and fourth wideout spots since the Mitchell injury, with Patrick and Isaiah Williams, among others, in those roles.

Without Hall, the Jets again will lean on Braelon Allen, who rushed for a career-high 116 yards last week.

"We think we have the best one-two combination in the NFL," offensive coordinator Frank Reich said.

On defense, they will be without edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle), who will miss his third game. Ossai, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract as a free agent, has battled various injuries since the start of training camp.