Jets All Pro cornerback was injured in the first half of Sunday Night Football

The New York Jets defense may have suffered a major blow in the first half Sunday.

In the Week 7 game of Sunday Night Football between the Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers, star cornerback Sauce Gardner appeared to have suffered a lower-body injury. Garner went down on the field after deflecting a pass to Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. The injury appears to be to his ankle or knee.

With Gardner on the sideline, the Steeler capitalized on a touchdown pass to Pickens to cut the Jets’ lead to just two, 15-13, at halftime.

Losing Gardner temporarily would have a huge impact on the Jets’ defense. He is only the third defensive player since 1970 to be named a first-team All-Pro selection in his first two seasons.

When the team returned to the field in the second half, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stated that Gardner “will come out again.” He will try. It’s too important to him.”

The Jets defense started strong against the Steelers on Sunday night. They forced their opponent to punt on four of the first six drives of the game.

Although the Steelers started the season 4-2, the team made a change under center, bringing in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson for the first time this season.

However, there was still room for improvement in the secondary as Wilson threw a deep ball to George Pickens that was completed for 44 yards. Although this big play got the Steelers into the red zone, the defense held them to another field goal.

If Gardner is unable to play the rest of the contest, the Steelers will have to rely on cornerback Brandin Echols to step up and shut down the Steelers’ receiving core.

Early in the third quarter, the Jets also announced that safety Tony Adams and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker had been downgraded to doubtful to return.

A win tonight against the Steeles would move the Jets to 3-4 on the season and they are still in a prime position to compete for a spot in the AFC playoffs.