Jets taking the safe route with Haason Reddick in his first week with team
Then-Philadelphia Eagles' Haason Reddick walks off the field at halftime of an NFL football game, Dec. 31, 2023, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Slocum
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets are easing Haason Reddick into things as he goes through his first week of practice since January. They will ramp up his activity every day and see how much he can play Sunday.
After waiting all this time for Reddick to end his holdout, the last thing the Jets want is for him to suffer a soft-tissue injury. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said he anticipates Reddick getting in Sunday’s game against the Patriots. It might be only as a situational pass rusher until the Jets feel comfortable giving him more.
“It would be totally irresponsible for me to give him every single rep today [in practice],” defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton said Thursday. “It’s a slow ramp-up. The plays he has been given, he has done excellent, performed well, and looks like he’s in shape.
“In all my interactions with him, I have believed and trusted the fact that he’s a guy who keeps himself in shape. He’s always challenging himself physically to stay in shape. We have faith in him that he would be ready to rock.”
The last time Reddick played in a football game was last postseason with the Eagles in January. He was traded to the Jets in March, showed up for his physical and engaged in a contract dispute until this week.
Reddick declined to speak to reporters on Thursday.
Whitecotton said the defensive line room has been “business as usual” and that Reddick came in, introduced himself and has “been fitting right in.”
“He’s been awesome in the room,” Whitecotton said. “I see a professional handling his business. Very businesslike in his approach to picking up our terminology, kind of the way that we’re doing things.”
The Jets (2-5) could use a boost on defense. They could use one in all areas, but the defense slipped last week against the Steelers, allowing a season-high 409 yards and 37 points.
Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowl player, has four straight years of at least 11 sacks. As he plays more and his role expands, the Jets expect him to make his presence felt the way they hoped he would when they acquired him.
“I think he can make a great impact,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “It’s good to have him in the building. He’s a heck of a player.”
Mosley said Reddick hasn’t spoken much and that he seems focused on learning what he needs to do in this defense.
“He’s with the D-line all day, so he’s building a relationship with them,” Mosley said. “On a new team, whether you’re drafted or picked up as a free agent, you do all your talking and all things you want to say on your first tackle when you get on the football field. Just excited to see him on the field and see what he can do for us.”
Reddick has not addressed the team as a whole or expressed any remorse about holding out as long as he did. Mosley said Reddick doesn’t have to do that and that the players know it’s a business.
“It’s more of what’s understood doesn’t have to be explained,” Mosley said. “If it’s something he felt he probably wanted to share, I’m sure he would have. We’re not demanding him to get up there in front of us and explain himself. We’re just ready to play and win some games.”
Corley’s role
Rookie receiver Malachi Corley has been inactive the last three games and has played only two snaps all season. Passing game coordinator Todd Downing said the Jets believe in Corley but that he has Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Mike Williams ahead of him.
“There is an embarrassment of riches in the wide receiver room right now,” Downing said.
Injury updates
Lazard (chest), Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), Tony Adams (hamstring), Ashtyn Davis (concussion) and Leki Fotu (knee) did not practice for the second straight day . . . Michael Carter II (back) was a full participant. He’s nearing a return after a two-game absence.
The Jeffersons
Jets receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said seeing his son, Van Jefferson, catch a touchdown pass for the Steelers on Sunday was “pure hell. Make no mistake about it, I want to kick my son’s [butt].”
Jefferson wants his son to do well, but when he coaches against him, he said, “I literally go home and I’m really just emotionally drained.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
