The Jets believe that wide receiver Elijah Moore will be back and playing for Gang Green on Sunday, which comes after he missed last week’s game and demanded a trade.
Moore, a second-year pass catcher, made his trade request after seeing a marked decline in his participation in the offense, including when he was not targeted a single time in the Jets victory of the Green Bay Packers.
The 22-year-old has caught just 16 passes for 203 yards through six games this season, and has not recorded a touchdown.
That situation boiled over last weekend, when both Moore and the team agreed that he would not play against the Denver Broncos.
Despite that, the team maintained that trading him was not an option as the Nov. 1 deadline approaches.
Now, head coach Robert Saleh said that he expects Moore to return to action with the team, including on Sunday when they take on the New England Patriots, and join the team for practice this week.
“I know the type of young man he is. I’ve already said it. I look forward to him continuing to find ways to get better and help this football team.”
“We’re not alienating or moving him off to the side. No one is trying to turn the corner when they see him walking. We’re going to hit it straight on.”
Moore’s disappointing season has come as rookie wideout Gerrett Wilson and veteran Corey Davis have stepped up into the top roles on the Jets wide receiver depth chart.
But the team will not be “alienating” Moore, despite the recent kerfuffle.
“I just don’t think this is the time to alienate Elijah,” Saleh said. “He doesn’t need to be alienated from this organization. We love him. We think the world of him. We know what he can do from a football standpoint and how much he can help us. We just want to help him.”
