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By Victor Barbosa
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Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty provided the New York Jets with bulletin board material ahead of the teams' Week 8 matchup when he claimed on Wednesday that Gang Green had "a couple guys" on defense that "don't really want to tackle."
Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker responded to Jeanty's comments on Thursday, saying that he had "plenty of confidence" in the group.
As noted by ESPN's Rich Cimini, New York's defense will be shorthanded on Sunday against Las Vegas, with starting nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat ruled out due to a knee injury and rookie edge rusher and No. 2 overall pick David Bailey listed as doubtful because of a strained groin.
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Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick were among those to react to Jeanty's words on Friday.
"This is the NFL, and I get it. Everybody's motivated by certain things," Glenn said, per Cimini. "But man, your true motivation is each week you get a chance to play, and I think that's about it. But words are always said between players, and that's just what it is. Our guys will be ready to play."
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"Obviously, certain things add a little more fuel to the fire, but at the end of the day, I have to go out there and do my job," Fitzpatrick added. "I feel like most of the guys in this locker room operate in the same fashion."
Both Jeanty and New York's run defense have struggled at their respective jobs thus far this season.
The second-year pro's rushing numbers have plunged since he opened the campaign with 102 yards on the ground in Week 1. Jeanty had 58 rushing yards in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but has produced totals of 27, 22 and 15 yards in the last three contests.
The Jets, meanwhile, have allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game this fall at 127.7. New York has been especially vulnerable in the last month, surrendering 153 yards per contest on the ground, which ranks 31st in the NFL.
Something will have to give on Sunday afternoon.
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