Allen

Lazard

It was a new season high in targets for the little-used Lazard, who has missed game action in 2025 due to personal issues. Lazard operated as the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Josh Reynolds in this one. He ran a route on 26 of the Jets’ 39 drop backs against the Panthers and could have some value in deep fantasy formats if Tyrod Taylor takes over at QB after Justin Fields was benched in Week 7.

No actual reason was given by Aaron Glenn at a presser on Friday. Lazard has been a bit player the last three weeks, managing 33.2 percent of the snaps and six targets against the Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Cowboys. He’ll clear a little space for the lower rung of the Jets depth chart in Week 5.

His touchdown got the Jets to within six late in the fourth quarter before they would eventually take the lead on a special teams touchdown. However, he also almost dropped that touchdown, and it likely would have been overturned had it not been called a catch on the field. The Jets have no reliable second receiver, so maybe Lazard will emerge into that role even though Aaron Rodgers is no longer on the team.

Reynolds’ wind-sprint role could be handled by dusty veteran WR Allen Lazard, who was declared inactive last week. Reynolds’ speed at least provides a nifty element for safeties to take note of but Lazard will likely function as an ineffective mid-depth jump-ball player. He should not be in 12-team lineups.

Glenn didn’t say if Lazard would be active for Week 2’s game against the Bills, but said the decision to scratch him for Week 1 was made because they want to make sure he’s up to speed with the offense. Garrett Wilson led the Jets with 7-95-1 through the air in Sunday’s loss, but fellow receivers Tyler Johnson and Josh Reynolds combined for just four receptions for 49 additional yards. Lazard won’t make for a huge upgrade at the position, but he should provide a bit more than Johnson and Reynolds did if he’s active next week.

He lost a few weeks of training camp to a shoulder injury, but we’re still a bit surprised he went straight to the healthy scratch line. As has been rumored all offseason, Josh Reynolds is likely to be New York’s No. 2 receiver. Chukwuma Okorafor (hand) is playing on a questionable tag. Also inactive for the Jets are: EDGE Braiden McGregor, T Esa Pole, TE Jelani Woods, and DT Leonard Taylor III.

Lazard has been dealing with a shoulder injury for a few weeks, but is back at practice and on track to be available for Week 1’s game against the Steelers. Lazard lost the WR2 competition to Josh Reynolds in camp and isn’t fantasy-relevant at the moment.

Lazard was spotted in a sling after the Jets’ first preseason game and has, by most accounts, been lapped by Josh Reynolds in the Jets WR2 competition. This puts his Week 1 availability into question and an IR or PUP stint is probably not out of the question as well. Lazard does not need to be held unless you’re in a wildly deep league.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said Lazard is dealing with a right shoulder injury and will undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury. Lazard caught two passes for 17 yards in Saturday’s contest and is expected to serve as the Jets’ WR2 this season alongside Garrett Wilson. The team is hopeful that Lazard’s injury is nothing more than a bruise, but we should have an update soon. Even if it is a minor injury, Lazard doesn’t come with much fantasy upside in a Jets offense that’s expected to be among the most run-heavy in the league.

Rosenblatt noted Reynolds’ instant connection with Justin Fields in early offseason practices. He also made it clear that Allen Lazard isn’t much of a threat to take the job from Reynolds. Second-year wideout Malachi Corley is already on the roster bubble after a disastrous rookie season and a regime change while fourth-round rookie Arian Smith will likely play a part-time role as an outside speedster this year. Reynolds finishing second on the team in routes looks inevitable. He’s not on the redraft radar, but Best Ball sickos may want to take note for their Fields stacks.