The New York Jets look like they may have their rookie cornerback back in the mix for Week 1.
D’Angelo Ponds, the team’s second-round pick, returned to practice drills on Wednesday, a strong sign he is closing in on full strength before Sunday’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, who was at Florham Park, reported that Ponds was back working in drills and “should be good to go on Sunday.”
Ponds had been limited in the first two practices of the week, but his return to drills suggests he is trending in the right direction as the Jets open the season.
The cornerback has been sidelined since suffering a calf strain during the Jets’ first training camp practice of the year. That injury kept him out for the rest of the summer and through the entire preseason.
Even if Ponds is active against Tennessee, the Jets may keep his workload in check. After missing that much time, asking him to play full speed right away would be a risky way to handle his return.
Still, his availability would matter for a Jets defense that is expected to lean on him at slot corner this season. That spot will be tested immediately in Week 1, with Wan’Dale Robinson - whom the Tennessee Titans picked up in free agency - coming off a season in which he led the NFL in slot receiving yards with 675.
If Ponds is on the field, even in a limited role, it would give the Jets a better option than leaning on Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and a practice-squad player or sliding Minkah Fitzpatrick into that role.
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