New York Jets defensive star knocks Cardinals star’s helmet off

New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams had one of the best defensive plays of the game in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

On a blitz play from the left side, Williams was unblocked on a blitz and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t see him. Williams hit him cleanly, but in the process Murray’s helmet came clean off his head.

It was a big game for the Jets at the time. Arizona was at the Jets 21 in their territory. His ejection caused the Cardinals to lose eight yards and find themselves in a second-and-long situation.

Well, Arizona, already up 14-6, bounced back. Cardinals running back James Conner gained seven yards on the next play, followed by a 9-yard completion to Trey McBride that moved the chains.

On the next play, Murray struck again, hitting wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for a nine-yard touchdown pass that gave Arizona a 21-6 lead with 5:44 left in the second quarter.

All the Jets had gotten out of the game up to that point were two field goals from rookie Spencer Shrader, who was called up from the practice squad on Saturday.

Before the game, the Jets listed five players as inactive, three of whom were on the injury report and were already listed as out before the game. They included offensive guard Jake Hanson (hamstring), linebacker CJ Mosley (neck) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee). Thomas was ruled out on Saturday.

For the first time in two weeks, New York was able to rebuild its starting offensive line as right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) returned after a two-game absence and left guard John Simpson (groin) returned after leaving last week’s game with Houston .

The Jets also got back safeties Ashtyn Davis (concussion) and Tony Adams (hamstring injury), who were absent for several games.

New York’s other inactive players were offensive tackle Carter Warren and running back Israel Abanikanda.

On Saturday, the Jets elevated kicker Spencer Shrader from the practice squad to the active roster to serve as placekicker. He replaces Riley Patterson, who was released Friday when the Jets signed Anders Carlson to the practice squad. Veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein remains on the injured list.

The Cardinals’ inactives included defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf), who was out Friday, and defensive back Jalen Thompson (ankle), who was questionable. The other inactives were linebacker Julian Okwara, offensive lineman Christian Jones, tight end Travis Vokolek and wide receiver Xavier Weaver.

That meant the rest of the Cardinals were available on the injury report for Sunday’s game, including offensive tackle Jonah Williams (knee), offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (veteran break), defensive end LJ Collier (foot) and running back James Conner (finger ). , defensive tackle Naquan Jones (hamstring), defensive tackle Roy Lopez (ankle) and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck).