By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The Jets on Wednesday held their second of three minicamp practices. What did we notice at practice? Below are some observations, including strong safety Jamal Adams, whom the Jets selected in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft. As usual, remember that this was just one no-pads, no-contact practice in mid-June, so don't go overboard with conclusions based off these observations and takeaways. Here goes ...
INJURY SITUATION
Most notably, rookie receiver ArDarius Stewart is recovering from two surgeries (thumb and groin), but should be ready for training camp. He wasn't at practice Wednesday.
Neither was rookie receiver Chad Hansen (sore knee), though Jets coach Todd Bowles doesn't believe Hansen's situation is serious. Hansen should be ready for camp, as well.
Right guard Brian Winters (offseason shoulder surgery) again did not practice. Receiver Quincy Enunwa, outside linebacker Freddie Bishop, and offensive tackle Ben Ijalana were again in the rehab area. So was rookie cornerback Jeremy Clark (coming off torn ACL). He is the only candidate to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, according to Bowles. Everybody else should be ready.
RETURN GUYS
The Jets worked on punt returns Wednesday, as they seek answers at both return spots.
Again, a wide assortment of players got action in this wide-open competition, which will continue through training camp.
The guys back returning punts Wednesday: Frankie Hammond, Romar Morris, Bryson Keeton, Willie Quinn, and Dexter McCluster. The latter two are tryout players this week.
Breaking it down
DEMARIO DAVIS GETTING WORK
Will he be the replacement for David Harris at middle linebacker?
Davis again got a lot of action Wednesday at Harris' old spot, vacated when the Jets cut Harris last week.
The Jets want to give Davis a lot of work here in minicamp, in order to get him acclimated again with their system. He was a weak-side linebacker for the Jets from 2012-15. But he played middle linebacker in Cleveland last year. The Calvin Pryor trade with the Browns brought Davis back to the Jets.
Matt Forte says Jets aren't tanking
HOW DID BRYCE PETTY LOOK?
He completed 8 of 11 passes, with one interception, but he finished practice well. He was victimized by one drop.
His interception happened when Dexter McDougle jumped a route. Petty apparently just didn't see him. Just a bad moment of vision for Petty.
Petty made a couple superb throws in the final period of practice. One was a 30-yarder to the goal line, but it didn't count, because Kenbrell Thompkins couldn't get both feet in. Previously in this period, Petty hit Thompkins on the run with an excellent pass to the sideline. Petty completed 4 of 5 passes in this period, which concluded with a 5-yard touchdown pass to fullback Julian Howsare. A positive finish for Petty.
Jets similar to 2016 Browns?
HOW DID JOSH MCCOWN LOOK?
Not great, but not horrible. He completed 14 of 21 passes, with an interception.
Jamal Adams picked off McCown in a red-zone period, though it looked like Myles White might've contributed to this by running the wrong route.
While Petty finished practice with a touchdown in his "game situation" drive, McCown couldn't finish his same drive. It fizzled out with a deep incomplete pass to Jalin Marshall, and then a sack. The Jets again went with McCown, Christian Hackenberg, and Petty as their quarterback order Wednesday. Expect that to continue at the beginning of training camp. Click here to read our Hackenberg takeaways from Wednesday's practice.
Robby Anderson welcomes tougher coverage
EXCELLENT DAY FOR JAMAL ADAMS
He sure looks like he belongs, after the Jets drafted him sixth overall. Overall, he has looked fantastic this spring, at least in the five (of 12) media-open practices.
On Wednesday, he picked off McCown in the red zone. On the play right before that, Adams stuck with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins in coverage and made a great play, as he dove to break up McCown's pass, which was heading for the end zone. A touchdown-saving play here.
And Adams was the one who "sacked" McCown to conclude McCown's final drive of practice, as the Jets' offense was going through a game-situation drive. Adams got into the backfield quickly.
AP Photo | Julio Cortez
Bowles said Adams and Marcus Maye (second-round pick) are doing a good job of picking up the defense during classroom work. Which is a positive thing for the Jets, because Adams and Maye will be their starters this year. Let's see how the rookie safeties perform when things count. So far, so good.
Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
Ad Choices