Muhammad Wilkerson will reportedly start camp on PUP list
By Brad Weiss
New York Jets defensive star Muhammad Wilkerson is slated to begin the 2016 on the physically unable to perform list.
On Friday, Muhammad Wilkerson signed a long-term deal with the New York Jets, making him one of the richest defensive players in the National Football League. The deal, a 5yr/$86 million dollar contract, most likely ensures that the star defensive lineman will be in the green and white for the remainder of his career.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the big man is going to start the Jets’ 2016 training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The goal for the team is to have their star ready when they open up the regular season on September 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
Jets DE Mo Wilkerson, he of the brand new $86 million contract, likely will begin training camp on the PUP list.... https://t.co/kyHZlXUtQp
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 16, 2016
Wilkerson broke his leg in the 2015 regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills. The injury is healing nicely, but they team does not want to have any setbacks in camp.
Signing Wilkerson may create a domino effect, as the move freed up cap space, and now the team can turn their focus to free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Wilkerson’s previous contract cost the Jets a cap hit of $15.7 million dollars, but with his new long-term deal, he will only cost $10 million against the cap. The move gave the Jets $5.7 million dollars of extra cap space, which is likely to go to Fitzpatrick.
Wilkerson is coming off a 2015 season that saw him named to his first Pro Bowl. In four of his first five seasons, Wilkerson has started all 16 games for the Jets, including last year, when he set a career-high with 12 sacks.
A 2011 first round draft selection of the New York Jets, Big Mo is a crowd favorite at Metlife Stadium, and will no doubt play a huge role in the Jets returning to glory.
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