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In NFL training camp, veterans get occasional off-days from practice so they don’t get worn out during the dog days of summer.
Two such players today at Jets camp were defensive tackle David Onyemata (pictured above) and wide receiver Tim Patrick.
There was a third player given off today that was a little surprising at first glance, and that is second-year linebacker Kiko Mauigoa.
23-year-old players don’t usually qualify for “veteran’s day off” status.
It turns out this was a day off based on sports science. These days, they monitor so much with players, and it turns out Mauigoa was given today off based on his odometer, if you will.
“Kiko has probably had the most reps out of anybody in camp, so we wanted to make sure we monitored him and take care of him today,” said Jets coach Aaron Glenn.
That is fine, but to be honest, the reason I was surprised to see him on the sidelines with an off-day is that, usually, this is reserved for locks to make the roster.
And based on what we saw last year from the Jets linebacker, I’m not sure anybody coming back from that team at that position should be a lock to make the team.
Perhaps that is just one person’s worldview.
After Demario Davis, to me, you can throw a blanket over everybody else. The perceived next two in the pecking order, Jamien Sherwood and Mauigoa, need to show a lot more in pass coverage . . .
As we mentioned yesterday, when you are a long shot to make the team, the last thing you want is to be sidelined with an injury. Just ask OLB Kingsley Jonathan, who was waived injured earlier this week.
So you often see guys soldiering through stuff that might sideline entrenched veterans.
Undrafted rookie free agent tight end Chase Curtis was practicing today with a compression sleeve on his right leg and hobbled off the field after a play, but he returned to action quickly.
When you are a long shot, you gotta be your own faith healer, and try to stay out there come hell or high water . . .
Speaking of long-shots, defensive tackle Jack Heflin continues to flash.
He had a nice run stop today on a run by Sam Scott up the middle.
With Onyemata on a rest day, rookie Darrell Jackson filled in a lot, but perhaps it should have been Heflin getting some of these prime-time reps.
But we know how NFL teams are with draft picks, but you know how I feel about anointing oil.
Heflin has made more plays this summer than the rookie. The rookie has a big upside, but needs to work on lowering his pad level.
Heflin doesn’t seem to have any pad level issues, consistently getting under offensive linemen to make plays . . .
Jets backup linebacker Mykal Walker is out with a calf injury. He was watching practice today with a compression sleeve on his right calf.
I’m telling you folks, those pesky calf injuries linger. They are a pain in the butt. Jets rookie CB D’Angelo Ponds has been out with one since July 29, and is still working his way back . . .
We wrote yesterday about the unique circumstances surrounding Geno Smith and the first preseason game, where he was a late scratch, and then was not on the sideline during the game, but instead was seen in a suite. And then, after missing the game with an ankle injury, he came back Monday, Tuesday, and now Wednesday and got a lot of first-team reps in practice. So might have thought he’s been limited this week after having to miss the game with an ankle.
But it should be pointed out, that while the circumstances from last Friday night regarding Smith might raise some red flags with some, he definitely did have his extra wrapping on his left ankle today.
Nobody is saying he’s not dinged; the question is more: if the ankle is an issue, why, after missing a game with the injury, was it business as usual for the player in the next three practices?
And why wasn’t he on a headset during the game listening to Frank Reich call the game?
Once again, this could all be tin-foil cap conspiracy stuff, but these are legitimate questions.
Just want to make it clear, there is an injury – nobody is doubting that . . .
And speaking of Smith practicing this week, there was a play on Wednesday that shows you why every practice rep in the summer between Smith and his receivers is quite valuable.
Early in practice, Smith threw a pass down the right seam, but the intended receiver, Adanoi Mitchell, cut to the sidelines.
Smith and the receivers are still getting comfortable with each other and in Reich’s offense.
August 19, 2026
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