Jets Continue to Allow Jamien Sherwood To Earn Playing Time

There's a reason C.J. Mosley hasn't been back on the field for the New York Jets defense and it is not just his toe injury.

The defensive captain who has been the face of the unit for the better part of the last half-decade has missed the last three games for the team due to a toe injury.

But there's a bigger reason why New York isn't rushing their defensive leader back on the field.

His name is Jamien Sherwood.

The converted linebacker from safety has become one of the better up-and-coming linebackers in this league today. In his last three starts, Sherwood has recorded 24 tackles with a pass defended and a tackle for loss.

More importantly, the Jets' defense looks faster than they have in years in front of him.

"He's done excellent, yeah all have. You see an excellent communicator, which we've all known since, you know, since we've had Jamien here," Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "He knows our defense like a coach, and he communicates in such a way out there that he gets everybody on the same page, and at the same time you see a speed in his range, you know? You see that carryover from his safety background, especially his comfort and the way he excels in coverage."

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The longer it takes for Mosley to return from his toe injury, the more likely it is that New York is simply looking for Mosley to earn the starting linebacker job continuously.

And he's off to a great start at that.