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From the part of practice we are allowed to watch
wide receiver Keelan Cole looked fast and smooth running around. coming off a knee injury suffered in a recent practice, that knocked him out of the opener. He should return this week, but is listed as “questionable.”
This guy is a very underrated player. He’s runs very good routes and catches everything. While the former Jacksonville Jaguars only got a one-year deal in free agency, it was for $5.5 million, so it’s not a pittance, and shows you Joe Douglas really wanted this player.
With Jamison Crowder also likely returning this week from COVID-19, if his groin is okay, Zach Wilson is going to be loaded with weapons to throw to in the passing game, with Crowder, Cole, Corey Davis, Braxton Berrios (who Wilson loves throwing to) and Denzel Mims. And don’t forget Jeff Smith, who not only has great speed, but saw him make a circus catch today during the portion of practice open to the media . . .
Safety Ashtyn Davis looked good cutting today on the conditioning field today, which is obviously important coming off a foot injury. He could return in Week 3. The Jets need for his services increased this week with the news that safety LaMarcus Joyner is out or the season with an arm injury . . .
Clearly the Jets have a lot of player injuries, but things are so bad now, one of the trainers in charge of working with rehabbing players like Davis, defensive end Ronnie Blair and others, was wearing a walking boot today, while working with injured Jets.
When it rains it pours . . .
The Patriots will be without linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who has been anNOYyance to the Jets over the year, whether it be with Miami or the Patriots. He has like a swiss army knife, a very smart player who Bill Belichick likes to move around to bambozzle the Jets.
Another injury to keep an eye is Patriots right tackle Trent Brown, who had to leave last week’s New England game against Miami with a calf injury.
Those cal injuries tend to linger, so there is a chance he doesn’t play this week. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and was limited on Friday. The Patriots had some issues on that side with his replacement. If Brown can’t go, the Jets could really take advantage of that side with their pass rush . . .
Mac Jones played very well last week in New England’s loss to Miami, which wasn’t fault – two costly running back fumbles were the bigger issue.
Robert Saleh doesn’t think this rookie quarterback is somebody that his defense can necessarily take advantage of, like some other rookies.
“Not necessarily,” Saleh said. “These young quarterbacks are so advanced nowadays. Mac (Jones) looked very, very impressive in his game against Miami who throws a bunch of different looks, who has a really good pass rush.”
Jones was hobbling around last week, so there could be something bothering him. He’s been wearing a left knee brace, so he might not be 100 percent.
But he looked really good in New England’s opener, and should present a big challenge to the Jets.
September 17, 2021
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