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The Jets player releases the ball just inches before scoring the touchdown, resulting in a stunning turnover

Malachi Corley was literally an inch away from scoring his first career touchdown.

Instead, he committed a turnover.

The New York Jets game started in typical Jets fashion. In their first three games, Aaron Rodgers sacked Davante Adams, Breece Hall dropped a pass and Rodgers was sacked.

Things couldn't get much worse, could they? Incorrect.

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New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley prepares for a game on Thursday, October 31, 2024, in East Rutherford, NJ (Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

In their ensuing defensive attack, the Jets called a roughing penalty on the kicker on 4th-and-21, extending the offense.

OK, that has to be it, right? No!

Corley, a rookie, took a pitch from Rodgers and found the open field, going untouched with blockers on top for a touchdown.

There was just one problem. He released the ball just before the goal line.

As the Jets celebrated what they thought was a touchdown, the referees reviewed the play and confirmed that Corley had dropped the ball too early. So the play resulted in a touchback.

The Jets selected Corley in the third round of this year's draft out of Western Kentucky, but he wasn't used as fans expected.

Malachi Corley on the sideline

Malachi Corley of the New York Jets leaves the field during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Nashville. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

It looks like he lost his chance as quickly as he got it.

It's been a tough time for the Jets, who have lost five straight after a 2-1 start to the season. Rodgers looks like a 40-year-old coming off an Achilles tendon injury, and since Adams landed in New York, he and his good friend Adams haven't been on the same page.

But they still entered Thursday night as favorites considering they were the home team against a depleted Houston Texans team without Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs.

Malachi Corley on the field

Malachi Corley of the New York Jets warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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The game remained scoreless in the first quarter.