The Jets’ defense was dealt another blow on Wednesday, as outside linebacker Brandon Copeland was suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Copeland is eligible to participate in the remainder of New York’s preseason practices and games. However, he will not be eligible to return to the active roster until after the team’s Week 5 game against the Eagles.
Copeland re-signed with the Jets in March after recording 35 tackles and five sacks for New York in his first season with the team. He also recorded double-digit starts for the first time in his NFL career and appeared in all 16 games after spending 2017 sidelined due to injury.
With Copeland suspended, the Jets are left extremely thin at linebacker. Starting inside linebacker Avery Williamson is already out for the season with a torn ACL, while depth pieces such as Harvey Langi, Jamey Mosley and Blake Cashman have been banged up in recent weeks. Frankie Luvu, Tarell Basham and 2019 third-round pick Jachai Polite will see an uptick in playing time now, as Copeland was positioned to factor heavily into defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ linebacker rotation in the regular season.
