31 Blessuan Austin DB

Austin (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Austin, who's played 100 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps the past two weeks, will miss the 2020 finale as Lamar Jackson likely fills in across from Bryce Hall. Austin racked up 63 tackles (50 solo), four passes defensed and one forced fumble in 11 games this season.

Austin is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots with a non-COVID-19 illness, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

The 2019 sixth-round pick has stepped into a starting role for the Jets this season, but his availability for the season finale is in question. Lamar Jackson could have an increased role Sunday if Austin is sidelined.

Austin finished with seven tackles in Sunday's 40-3 loss to the Seahawks.

Austin returned after a three-week stint on IR due to a neck injury and picked up where he left off, bringing his tackle total to 25 over his last three appearances. The physical cornerback's high tackle totals are due in part to receivers frequently catching the ball in front of him as he attempts to prevent deep shots. That bend but don't break approach hasn't exactly been working for him or the rest of New York's defense, but Austin's starting spot isn't in jeopardy at the moment given the team's lack of enticing cornerback alternatives.

Austin (neck) will make his return after a three-game absence and start Sunday's game against Seattle, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Austin was designated to return from IR earlier this week, and he looked healthy enough in practice to be activated in his first opportunity to return to game action. Rookie Lamar Jackson -- who was burned for the winning touchdown in the final seconds of last week's loss to the Raiders -- will return to a bench role, while Bryce Hall will hang onto his starting spot opposite Austin.

Austin (neck) was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

This move will allow Austin to return to practice and opens the three-week window for the Jets to put him back onto the active roster. The 2019 sixth-round pick had climbed to the top of an admittedly underwhelming cornerback depth chart prior to sustaining his injury.

Austin (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

The 24-year-old was considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, but he'll instead be sidelined for at least the next three games. Austin's MRI this week showed encouraging results, so there's a chance he only misses the three-game minimum.

Austin (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Chargers.

The Jets cut Pierre Desir earlier this week and placed Brian Poole (shoulder) on season-ending IR, so Austin is their last remaining starting cornerback. He's in danger of sitting out Sunday as well, although an MRI showed encouraging results Thursday. If Austin's able to play, he'll operate as the team's undisputed No. 1 corner, and the final verdict on his status will be revealed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Austin (neck) appears to have avoided a serious injury and is considered day-to-day, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Austin had an MRI on Thursday, but the results appear to have been encouraging. Based on his 'day-to-day' designation, it sounds like the starting cornerback could even have a chance to suit up against the Chargers on Sunday, depending on how he looks at practice Friday.

Austin (neck) will not practice Thursday and is set to receive an MRI to determine the severity of his injury, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Austin has played an every-down role for the Jets while healthy this season, so it will be a notable blow for the team's secondary if he's forced to miss time. Bryce Hall, a rookie fifth-round pick, is already expected to slot into New York's opposite starting cornerback spot.

Austin recorded a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo) and a pass defensed in Monday's 30-27 loss to New England.

Austin's physicality is what makes him an effective cornerback, but it also got him in trouble, as he was flagged for defensive holding on 3rd-and-10 to extend a drive that eventually resulted in New England's game-tying touchdown. The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Rutgers is locked into a starting spot in New York's underwhelming cornerback corps, and he's handling himself well in that role.

Austin (calf) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Austin came into the game logging LP/LP/NP throughout the week, so this news is a bit surprising. It's good news for the team that Austin will be able to play, as he's in line for his usual starting role at cornerback. In four games this season, Austin has racked up 19 tackles (16 solo) and one forced fumble.

Austin (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.

Austin is trending in the wrong direction, as he practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday before missing practice Friday. The Jets' secondary is among the worst in the league, and it could struggle even more if Austin can't go, as Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of the last four games. Lamar Jackson, a cornerback, will likely start if Austin's ultimately ruled out.

Austin (calf) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Austin logged a pair of limited practices last week with the calf issue and failed to suit up in Week 5, so the hope is that this week he doesn't face a similar fate. The second-year pro suffered the injury in Week 4 against the Broncos, and if he's forced to miss more time, duties would continue to shift to Pierre Desir, Lamar Jackson and Brian Poole.

Austin (calf) is inactive Week 5 against the Cardinals.

Austin will ultimately be unable to take the field despite logging limited practice sessions twice this week, paving the way for Quincy Wilson, Brian Poole and Javelin Guidry to see extra work in the secondary. Austin's next chance to play will be a road matchup Week 6 against the Chargers.

Austin (calf) is considered questionable for Sunday's clash against the Cardinals, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Austin logged consecutive limited workloads at practice to close out the week and is looking like a true game-time decision. If he is ultimately unable to play, some combination of Quincy Wilson, Brian Poole and Javelin Guidry would be in line to replace his snaps.

Austin (calf) is ruled out to return to Thursday's game against the Broncos, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Austin had two tackles during the first half of Thursday's contest. He'll get the benefit of three additional days of rest while targeting a return Week 5 against the Cardinals.

Austin (calf) is doubtful to return to Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

With the injury to Austin, the Jets may be counting on Brian Poole to take on an every-down role for the remainder of the contest. Austin collected two tackles before exiting with the injury, but New York may now find itself short-handed after first-time Broncos starter Brett Rypien went 9-for-11 passing with 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception during the first half.

Austin recorded 25 tackles and four passes defensed over seven games played in 2019.

Austin impressed after getting a shot with the Jets, drawing the start in six of his seven appearances. The 23-year-old Rutgers product should be in the mix for a starting role next season and is a near lock to at least make the roster.

Austin is expected to start at cornerback for Sunday's game against the Redskins, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

If Hughes' words hold true, Sunday would be Austin's first career start. The 23-year-old is coming off a great performance last week, seeing 49 snaps and making three solo tackles and a forced fumble in his NFL debut. Other candidates for the start and extra reps include Arthur Maulet and Maurice Canady.

Austin notched three solo tackles, one defended pass and one forced fumble during Sunday's 34-27 win over the Giants.

Austin played a notable 70 percent of snaps on defense in his NFL debut, and his forced fumble came on the Giants' final play of the game, securing a win for the Jets. The rookie sixth-round pick spent the first nine weeks of the season on the non-football injury list while rehabbing a knee issue. Now back to full health, he looks set for a key role in New York's secondary going forward.