The absence of Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner from the field during a 49ers drive and the team’s odd explanation for it sparked a conversation during the second quarter on Monday night.

The Jets told ESPN that Gardner was not out of the game due to injury and they did not provide further information about why he watched as Brock Purdy completed six consecutive passes to put the 49ers in position for a field goal. Gardner returned for the final few snaps of that drive and played without further incident in the 32-19 loss.

After the match, Gardner said he had lost his breath.

“It was a tackle I made, I just had to to get my breath back,” Gardner said, via SNY. “I just had to bounce back. When I felt like I was good, I got back on the field.”

The Jets also struggled to stop the 49ers with Gardner on the field, as the 49ers scored on eight straight possessions after an opening three-and-out. It wasn’t the result they were hoping for, and they’ll be hoping the entire unit has a bit more wind in its sails against the Titans in their second game.