Jets' Garrett Wilson sidelined against Panthers with knee injury, misses first NFL game

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is missing the first game of his NFL career after he was ruled out Sunday against the Carolina Panthers because of a knee injury.

The move was expected after Wilson was listed by the team Friday as doubtful to play, and he didn't practice at all during the week. Still, coach Aaron Glenn wouldn't rule out Wilson until the Jets announced their list of inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff.

Wilson was injured during the Jets’ 13-11 loss to Denver in London last Sunday. The team hasn’t specified the nature of the injury, but ESPN reported that Wilson is dealing with a hyperextended knee and would miss some time but avoided a major injury.

Wilson is New York’s leading receiver with 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns. In his fourth season, Wilson already ranks 10th on the Jets’ career list with 315 receptions.

With Wilson sidelined, New York's wide receiver corps will be significantly downgraded. Josh Reynolds likely slides into his No. 1 slot, with Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, Isaiah Williams and rookie Arian Smith also available.

The Jets' other inactive players included tight end Jelani Woods, offensive tackle Esa Pole, defensive lineman Tyler Baron, linebacker Cam Jones and cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Qwan’tez Stiggers.

Carolina got a boost to its receiving corps with Jalen Coker set to make his season debut after missing the team’s first six games with a quadriceps injury. Coker had 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie last season after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross.

Veteran offensive lineman Austin Corbett also was activated from IR and is set to play. He hurt his left knee during Carolina's loss at Arizona in Week 2 and returned to practice this week. Corbett is expected to help an offensive line that will use its sixth starting lineup in the last seven games.

Starting left guard Damien Lewis is out with a shoulder injury suffered in practice Thursday, so Corbett is expected to start in his place.

Among the Panthers’ other inactives are wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, running back DeeJay Dallas, tight end James Mitchell and defensive tackles Cam Jackson and Jaden Crumedy.

Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton returned after missing two games with a toe injury.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) reacts after blocking a pass to New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) in the second half of an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

New York Jets' Garrett Wilson warms up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/