FLORHAM PARK, N.J. _ The New York Jets haven't played a preseason game yet, but they already have lost their top wide receiver for the season.
Coach Todd Bowles announced after Monday's practice that Quincy Enunwa has a bulging disc in his neck and will be out six to nine months. Surgery is expected, pending a second opinion.
Bowles said he was told Enunwa's injury isn't career-threatening. "Going forward, we'll see,'' Bowles said. "They said he should come out of it OK."
The expected roster move came two days after Enunwa, 25, reinjured his neck at the team's Green and White scrimmage Saturday at MetLife Stadium. Enunwa suffered the non-contact neck injury while the offense was participating in 7-on-7 practice drills before the scrimmage.
According to Bowles, Enunwa felt a "tingling feeling" in his neck during the spring and underwent tests and received treatment on his neck. "He was doing better, he was doing fine. When he fell the other night, it just flared up again ... I don't think he had (a bulging disc) in the spring. It was treatable in the spring. He was healthy."
The 2014 sixth-round pick caught 58 passes for 857 yards and four touchdowns in 2016 and entered the offseason as the team's No. 1 receiver after Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker left.
Now, with their preseason opener coming up Saturday against the Titans, the Jets' coaching staff must figure out how to generate more offense from an inexperienced receiving corps.
"He's a big part of it," Bowles said of Enunwa, "so our young guys are just going to have to grow up fast." But he was quick to invoke the "next man up" mantra.
"It's not deflating," Bowles said of the Enunwa news. "Injuries are a part of the (game). You take body blows in this league. Guys have to step up and we have to coach them."
Bowles also insisted that his confidence in his young receivers hasn't waned. "It hasn't changed,'' he said. "Obviously, they have to get some experience and get some reps. But they're talented. Just have to learn and get caught up to speed."
The Jets will look into adding another pass catcher, but it's unclear if he will be a veteran or another camp body.
"We don't know yet," Bowles said. "We have a lot of young guys that we're trying to develop. So, if there's something out there that catches our eye, we'll sign him. If not, we'll stick with the guys we have. All options are open."
