Muhammad

Wilkerson

Wilkerson’s suspension is stemming from his arrest on DWI charges back in March. He was also arrested in June of 2019 for drunk driving in Washington Heights, New York. Currently a free agent who hasn’t played a single snap since 2018, we’ve likely seen the last of Wilkerson’s NFL career.

Our last blurb on Wilkerson was for his June 2019 arrest, which also included impaired driving. Wilkerson has obvious legal issues to deal with, but he’ll also be facing league discipline if he’s to make it back into the league. That, of course, is looking a lot less likely now. Wilkerson had two 10.0+ sack seasons, but off the field concerns and injuries have all but ended his career.

Per La Canfora, the Browns and Raiders were among the teams “monitoring” the situation prior to the draft. It’s unclear if both teams remain interested, but they’re two of the clubs with the most cap space and would be able to sign Wilkerson to the long-term deal he wants. There’s just no way the Jets are going to get “multiple” first-round picks for a guy seeking $40 million guaranteed.

Wilkerson was pulled over for running a stop sign around 3:40 AM. He later failed a sobriety test, registering a .09 blood alcohol level, slightly over the state’s legal limit of .08. Coming off an injury-ruined season in Green Bay, this won’t help the 29-year-old’s job prospects.

An ankle injury cost Wilkerson most of 2018, though the Packers remain interested in bringing him back on a similar contract to the one-year, prove-it deal he signed last offseason. Despite needing two surgeries to repair his broken ankle, Wilkerson should be ready for the start of 2019.

In a corresponding move, Green bay signed CB Tony Brown to the active roster from the practice squad. DL Deon Simon was additionally signed to the practice squad to replace Brown’s spot. The loss of Wilkerson, who was off to stellar start, is a major loss for the Packers’ subpar defense. It’s a shame since his stint in Green Bay was meant to be an attempt to garner value towards free agency. He’ll likely struggle for guaranteed money during the offseason.

Coach Mike McCarthy called the injury significant. Wilkerson was in tears on the field and was taken from the stadium directly to the hospital. The ex-Jet was playing on a one-year deal in Green Bay in an attempt to rehab his value. Now he will struggle for guaranteed money next offseason. Wilkerson turns 29 in October. Wilkerson was off to an excellent start. His loss is a major blow for the Packers’ middle-of-the-road defense.

Packers CB Kentrell Brice whiffed on a tackle and crumpled Wilkerson’s leg. The Pack’s medical staff conducted an immediate air casting before carting Wilkerson to the locker room. The free agent addition was in tears. It certainly had the looks of a season-ender.

Jacobs was fined $20,000 for the altercation where he appeared to be the aggressor. Wilkerson has been the heir apparent to Shaun Ellis for the Jets this season, recording 17 tackles and one sack as a starter in all seven games.

Wilkerson was charged with careless driving and failure to maintain his lane after striking another car at 4:29AM. The police report didn’t indicate Wilkerson had been drinking. Even “minor injuries” could have Wilkerson questionable for the beginning of camp, though the Jets say he’ll be ready. Coach Rex Ryan and DC Mike Pettine have both gone out of their way to praise Wilkerson this offseason, with the latter saying he was the team’s second most impressive defender in OTAs after only Darrelle Revis.