Glenn: Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) will be ready Week 1

Sadiq underwent the procedure early in the offseason but recently suffered a setback. The good news is that Glenn said it isn’t something that will sideline him during the regular season. Still, missing the first half of training camp is not a great start for a rookie, let alone one playing a position that is notoriously difficult to transition from college to pro. Sadiq will likely pick up steam as the season goes on, but he doesn’t figure to have much fantasy value during the first month of the season.

Sadiq has missed recent training camp practices for undisclosed reasons. Now we know his recovery from surgery has not gone as expected. Though Glenn remains confident Sadiq — the team’s first round pick in the 2026 draft — will be OK for Week 1, fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Sadiq’s status in the coming weeks. For now the rookie is listed as the Jets TE2 behind Mason Taylor.

This marks the third straight day Sadiq has missed as he recovers from offseason hernia surgery. Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters Sadiq is on a “maintenance program” for now, and did not offer a return date for the first-round rookie. Sadiq is listed as the Jets’ TE2 behind Mason Taylor, with Jeremy Ruckert behind the rookie. Fantasy managers should monitor Sadiq’s training camp participation in the coming weeks.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said after practice that Sadiq’s absence was due to maintenance after the rookie underwent offseason hernia surgery. We don’t know if the plan is to give Sadiq these rest days throughout camp or just in the early portion, but fantasy managers shouldn’t be alarmed by an occasional DNP. Barring any reports of a setback, Sadiq appears to be in good shape to be available for Week 1, and he’s expected to take on a significant role early on for Glenn and the new-look Jets.

Sadiq returned to practice on the first day of training camp after missing the offseason program due to a minor hernia surgery. Glenn talked up the rookie’s versatility and his athleticism, which he has in spades. Sadiq will likely start off the season as a part-time player, mixing in with second-year tight end Mason Taylor. The latter is a reliable blocker and a true inline tight end, while Sadiq profiles as a big slot. That could limit Sadiq to TE2 numbers early in his rookie campaign, but a breakout over the second half of the season would surprise no one.

This is more of an update than breaking news. It was reported in May that Sadiq underwent minor hernia surgery and was expected to be ready by camp, and it doesn’t appear anything has changed a month later. The rookie did not participate in OTAs and minicamp and will be behind entering camp, per Jets OC Frank Reich, but they have a plan to get him up to speed once he returns. The Jets used the No. 16 overall pick on Sadiq in this year’s draft, hoping his elite athleticism and 4.39 speed can add another element to an offense that finished 29th in scoring last season. How the Jets plan to use Sadiq in his rookie season will determine his fantasy outlook, but he could turn into a solid late-round value if he factors into the passing game early on.

Per Glenn, the Jets knew about this issue before the draft, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to the team. Still, it’s a slight concern that Sadiq will miss some valuable reps during the offseason program. If he is full-go for camp, this won’t be much of an issue, but there is now some injury-related risk with the rookie tight end. Sadiq will likely open his career in a timeshare with 2025 second-round pick Mason Taylor. For now, fantasy managers should treat Sadiq as a high-upside TE2.

Sadiq, 21, posted a 52/568/8 receiving line in his third and final season at Oregon before clocking a record-setting 4.39-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He should operate as the Jets’ primary receiving tight end in year one, while second-year TE Mason Taylor handles blocking duties. It could be tough for Sadiq to produce as a fantasy TE1 as a rookie if he is limited to playing in 12 personnel, but training camp reports should clarify his expected usage. Sadiq’s $22.3 million contract is fully guaranteed.

Per Fowler, Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq “was also believed to be part of the Rams’ first-round conversation at some point,” along with Cowboys S Caleb Downs. Both the former USC wide receiver and the former Oregon tight end were available when the Rams were on the clock. The former Ohio State safety was taken two picks earlier. The Rams are slated to pick 29th in Rounds 2 and 3 today. Given their interest in Lemon, a slot/Z-receiver, and Sadiq, a receiving tight end, it would be unsurprising to see them draft a pass catcher today.

Sadiq (6’3/241) backed up fellow NFL tight end Terrence Ferguson as an underclassman. Even then, it was clear he was going to be the Ducks’ next star. Sadiq posted 308 yards as a sophomore, but did so while averaging over 10 yards after the catch per reception. He then took over for an NFL-bound Ferguson and went for 568 yards and eight scores on 52 grabs as a true junior. Sadiq didn’t dominate his team’s targets, but he blew by unsuspecting defenders with ease almost every week. He finished second among all tight ends in gains of 20-plus yards, of which he had 13. Sadiq’s slot-only size could have been an issue for some NFL teams, but he silenced the doubters at the NFL Combine with a record-setting 40-yard dash of 4.39 seconds. Sadiq is a competent blocker but nothing more. We wouldn’t expect his NFL team to ask him to block that often anyway. Because of his game-breaking speed, Vernon Davis is the common NFL comparison for Sadiq. Though Davis entered the NFL with 13 pounds over Sadiq, it’s still one of the only applicable comps out there.