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Jets tight end coach Alfredo Roberts spoke to the media on Tuesday, and I asked him about how challenging it’s been on rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq over the last few months – practicing briefly in the spring, then needing sports hernia surgery, then coming back for the start of training camp, and then having a setback related to his sports hernia surgery. In my question, I used the metaphor – “rollercoaster ride” – to describe the ups and downs of the last few months for the Idaho Falls native.
“Rollercoaster ride?” Roberts said. “I don’t know if it’s a rollercoaster ride. He’s dealing with it. Everyone is going to be met with different kinds of adversity: is it the physicality, is it in the classroom, is it being available?” He’s a mature guy who seems to be very serious and focused.”
Not sure what exactly is going on with the Sadiq injury. Aaron Glenn said he had a “setback” early in camp. What exactly does that mean? It’s hard to say, and they don’t really owe us an explanation.
When somebody has a sports hernia surgery, and then they have a “setback,” does that mean they need to go back in and do a scope to repair it? That doesn’t seem to be the case here.
All I can tell you is I posted a video of Sadiq on Twitter (X) from Tuesday’s practice. He was watching a tight end drill. He had a compression sleeve on his left leg, and while he was walking, he was touching his left groin area a little. You can see the video on Twitter (X).
He could be fine in a few weeks. We shall see. Time will tell. But I can’t sit here and tell you I know what is going on with Sadiq, but there is no doubt what has gone on with the player since the draft is far from ideal for his early development . . .
While there weren’t as many fights on Wednesday as Tuesday, but there were a few, and one involved Jets left guard Dylan Parham, who was pulled from the lineup for a few series after the tiff.
What was interesting was who they replaced him with in the starting lineup – Kohl Levao, a practice squad player the last two seasons. It was not Xavier Newman or even 2026 draft pick Anez Cooper.
Clearly, they like Levao, a 6-4, 350-pound road grader from Hawaii who gets a lot of push in the run game . . .
The Jets’ pass coverage issue at linebacker continues.
Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield hit tight end Cade Otton for a touchdown. Otton got behind linebacker Jamien Sherwood. I can’t tell you that it was Sherwood’s fault because I don’t have access to the playbook, just saying the catch was behind him. There was also a pass to Otten in the middle of the field behind Sherwood. Once again, don’t know if it was Sherwood’s fault, just saying it was behind him.
Mayfield also had a nice deep out on the left side to Otton. I can’t even give you a name who might be at fault for this – nobody was near him.
Jets GM Darren Mougey had a terrific off-season on paper between free agency and the draft, but something that surprisingly wasn’t addressed was the need for a top-shelf coverage linebacker to play next to Demario Davis . . .
Young veteran defensive tackle Jack Heflin continues to flash.
In the one-on-one line drill, Heflin beat guard Ben Scott with a nice move.
In the team part of practice, he had a nice stack-and-shed on an offensive lineman to stop RB Kadarius Calloway around the line.
You could make the argument that Heflin should be in contention for the final defensive line roster spot.
After watching two weeks of training camp practice, you could make an argument that Heflin is a better run defender than Jowon Briggs. The latter is probably a better interior pass rusher . . .
Cade Klubnik had the pass of the day on a deep connection with WR Arian Smith of about 50 yards.
This was a heck of a pass.
But here is the caveat to this play, which is getting a ton of praise.
We know he has a terrific arm, but this was a one-read throw, so it doesn’t tell us anything about his ability to go through progressions.
The pass reminded me of that great throw from Zach Wilson at his BYU Pro Day, which displayed elite arm talent.
A few plays after this spectacular throw, Klubnik threw a pick down the deep right seam to safety Rashad Wisdom.
I’m not picking on Klubnik, just saying we know he’s a good athlete who can run, and has a strong arm, and can make all the throws, but must show he can do a better job of going through his progressions – one, two, three, checkdown.
August 12, 2026
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