FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The recent game between the New York Jets and the Houston Texans brought a memorable yet unfortunate moment for rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley. Known for his extraordinary talent, Corley’s anticipated first NFL touchdown garnered attention across the nation, primarily due to the fact that it did not count.
During last Thursday’s match, Corley appeared to break free for what seemed to be a 19-yard touchdown run. However, in an error of celebration, he dropped the ball just before entering the end zone. A subsequent video review led officials to overturn the play, declaring it a fumble after an 18-yard run, claiming a touchback due to the ball rolling out of the end zone.
Reflecting on the incident, Corley expressed his shock when he first saw the replay. “I was relishing the moment just as much as the entire MetLife Stadium was,” he shared during a press conference held on Wednesday. The play left not only him but also the teammates and fans in disbelief, making it a notable moment in his budding career. Corley recalled that he had scored “200-plus touchdowns” prior to this, so experiencing a turnover like this felt unique and disappointing.
Despite the setback, Corley maintained a positive outlook, stating that he would focus on the experience rather than let it define him. He shared, “It’s not a defining moment for me because imagine if I broke three tackles, you know, juked the guy and then I dropped the ball 1 yard in front of the end zone.” He acknowledged that his overall performance should not be lessened by a single mistake.
Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach of the Jets, commented on Corley’s gaffe right after the game, indicating that the rookie needs to secure the football. Luckily, the Jets secured a victory without Corley’s intended score, which would have put them ahead 7-0. Corley expressed gratitude, stating, “I was really grateful that we won the game because it could’ve gotten really bad for me if we had lost.”
With team dynamics shifting—especially following Mike Williams’ trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the trade deadline—Corley might find himself receiving more opportunities on offense. When asked about scoring in the future, Corley joked, “I’d probably hold onto the ball all the way to the sideline and give it to Coach Brick. Let him know that I owed him that one.”
Despite the blunder during this pivotal moment, Corley remained unfazed and claimed to not feel embarrassed. “No, not at all. You just take things with a grain of salt,” he explained. With experience comes perspective, and he viewed it instead as part of the learning process. “Still extremely excited to run across the end zone line and be able to jet around the field… So it was fun overall,” he concluded, underlining his unyielding love for the game.
In terms of player injuries, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, dealing with knee and hamstring issues, participated fully in practice for the first time in weeks, expressing how good it felt to be back on the field. Meanwhile, several players, including cornerback Michael Carter II and offensive lineman Jake Hanson, sat out due to various ailments, while safety Ashtyn Davis and linebacker Chazz Surratt were limited in their participation.