New York Jets rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is finally set for his NFL debut, and the timing couldn’t be much better for a player who spent most of the summer dealing with a lingering calf injury.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Friday that Ponds will be on the field against the Packers this weekend after being sidelined since July. Glenn pointed to the rookie’s work in practice and meetings as a sign he’s ready to go.
“That’s what we want to make sure: any guy that's out, can you come back and compete at a high level?” Glenn told reporters.
“Because once you get on the field, there’s no excuses. And [Ponds] has been doing a good job of that.”
Glenn also ruled out four players Friday morning, including defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin) and rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle). Edge rusher Will McDonald IV is set to play despite an ankle injury.
The big question now is how much Ponds will actually be used in his first game. The safest answer is that he should be active unless something goes wrong before kickoff or during warmups.
Glenn has made no secret of his appreciation for Ponds, and part of that connection comes from their shared build as undersized defensive backs. The Jets list Ponds at 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds. Glenn was listed at 5-foot-9 and typically played around 185 pounds during his 15-year career.
If Ponds had stayed healthy through training camp, he was expected to push for one of the starting nickel corner spots. The Jets also worked him outside during offseason drills.
Even with his return, Ponds may not jump straight into a major role. Jarvis Brownlee stood out against Cam Ward and the Titans last week, which makes it unlikely he gets bumped just because Ponds is available again.
Still, the Jets appear ready to ease Ponds in as the first option off the bench, and his aggressive style should give the defense another spark when he gets on the field.
In Other News...
Jets Collapse Sparks Ugly Questions About Late-Game Decisions
The Jets had the game where they wanted it late against the Packers, with a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and a chance to finish it off. Instead, the final stretch turned into a sequence of missed chances and second-guessing, starting with an inability to capitalize on a turnover and then a fourth-down call that immediately drew attention as the momentum slipped away.
Aaron Glenns overtime coin toss decision added another layer to the aftermath, but the play that helped swing it most was Jarvis Brownlees costly penalty, which moved Green Bay into field-goal range. The Packers closed by scoring the final 13 points, ending the night with the winning kick in overtime and leaving the Jets to sort through a collapse that will linger for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Defense Faces One Risk Aaron Glenn Cannot Ignore
Minnesotas defense made life miserable for Jordan Love in Week 1, getting home four times and helping turn a rough start into a comeback win over Green Bay. The performance offered a useful blueprint for the Jets, who have enough talent up front to pressure Love without having to lean heavily on the blitz, a path that fits what Aaron Glenn wants to build on that side of the ball.
The catch is that Love has already shown he can make defenses pay when they overcommit, piling up 387 yards and two touchdowns against blitz looks despite the heat. That puts extra importance on New Yorks front four doing the heavy lifting, and it also makes Will McDonalds availability worth watching after his recent ankle injury, since the edge rush is a key part of how the Jets can try to control the Packers without opening themselves up elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Jets May Finally Be Fixing An Offensive Problem Fans Know Too Well
The Jets have spent years living with one of the NFLs most unreliable tight end rooms, a spot that rarely gave the offense much in the way of receptions, yards, or touchdowns. From 2016 through 2025, the position has been a persistent sore spot, one that never quite turned into the kind of steady middle-of-the-field threat good offenses lean on.
Now theres at least a sign the team is trying to change that. With new offensive coordinator Frank Reich in place, the Jets have made a real push to invest in tight ends, headlined by first-round pick Sadiq and backed by additions like Taylor, Ruckert and Jelani Woods. It does not guarantee the problem is solved, but it does suggest the Jets are finally treating a long-standing weakness like something worth fixing. [Read more 🡒]