Malachi Corley's fumble costs Jets touchdown against Texans

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley will never forget his first NFL carry. He'll wish he could.

The wide receiver, known in college for his ability to produce yards after the catch, got the ball with a jet sweep and scored on a 19-yard run – or so it seemed. The celebration was cut short as it was ruled that he dropped the ball before it crossed the goal line.

It was a deliberate decline; Corley thought he was in the end zone. After a replay it was determined that it was a fumble. The ball rolled out of the end zone and was declared a touchback. When things go bad, things go really bad.

What we thought was a Jets TD… is a touchback! Houston ball 😳#HOUvsNYJ on Prime Video
Will continue to stream #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/D3liGAROrt

– NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024

Instead of a 7-0 lead, the Jets had to fall back on defense. For the record, it went down as an 18-yard run for Corley.

The third-round pick out of Western Kentucky, known as the “YAC King” in college, has only played a handful of snaps this season. The Jets chose him in part because of his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. The trick, of course, is to keep it in your hand.