Jets' Malachi Moore poised for big role as Adams returns for Monday night against Dolphins

The Jets are placing continued faith in Malachi Moore, even as Tony Adams returns from a hip injury that sidelined him for the loss to Tampa Bay. Moore, a fourth-round pick out of Alabama, started in place of Adams in Week 3 and contributed four tackles in the game. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Moore will have a role again Monday night against the Dolphins, underscoring the team’s intent to develop the rookie rather than relegate him to the bench.

“There’s always room for improvement, he’s a rookie, and he made some rookie mistakes, but to be expected from a rookie,” Glenn said of Moore. “He’s going to be a damn good player for us, and I’m looking forward to the way he progresses as these weeks go by. But there won’t be a week that we go in where he doesn’t have a role.” Moore’s emergence has come as the Jets try to balance confidence in their young talent with the return of a veteran in Adams, whose long-term role remains unsettled as the team moves toward Week 4.

Through three games, the Jets’ defense has shown encouraging signs. They rank ninth in the league in the opponent’s third-down conversion rate (35.14 percent) and are tied for 11th in the league in red-zone defense, allowing points on 50.0 percent of trips inside the 20. Glenn said the defense has solidified its understanding of situational play as the season has progressed, noting a dramatic improvement in points allowed from the early weeks.

“Well, there’s a number of things that I’m encouraged by when it comes to how we’re [playing] on defense,” he said. “The one thing I think our guys do a really good job of is really understanding exactly where we are and how we need to respond to certain situations. As you look at it, it went from 34, 30, to 22 points given up.” The improvement comes as the Jets prepare for a tougher test in Miami, a divisional opponent that features a dynamic passing attack and a recent addition at tight end that could affect the matchup.

On the injury front, the Jets will be without edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., both ruled out with ankle injuries ahead of Monday’s game. Running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu is listed as doubtful after being limited in practice. For the Dolphins, former Giants tight end Darren Waller is expected to make his debut after missing the first three games with a hip injury. The 33-year-old Waller is returning to football after a one-year hiatus following retirement prior to the 2024 season, adding another potentially key target for Miami’s passing game.

Moore’s continued role is central to the Jets’ plans as Adams readjusts to game action. The rookie’s progression over the coming weeks will influence how New York allocates its safety depth as the schedule grows more demanding. While Adams’ return will inject veteran experience into the back end, Glenn’s comments indicate Moore will remain a fixture, ensuring that the Jets’ defense remains multidimensional and capable of evolving as the season unfolds.