In the New York Jets' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, cornerback Sauce Gardner faced criticism after sitting out several plays, which coincided with the 49ers scoring drives. Head coach Robert Saleh explained that Gardner was simply 'trying to catch his breath' after a tackle on Deebo Samuel, but many fans questioned the reasoning, suggesting it was unusual for a player of Gardner's caliber to be sidelined for so long without a medical issue. Gardner later clarified on social media that he had 'the wind knocked out of him' but felt fine to return to the game. Despite the confusion, the Jets ultimately lost 32-19, with Gardner emphasizing the need for improvement, especially on third downs. Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson lamented the team's performance, stating, 'They whooped our ass today,' while urging for a bounce-back in future games. The controversy surrounding Gardner's absence contributed to an overall disappointing start for the Jets this season.