Jets hoping to have Aaron Rodgers healthy for Friday's OTA
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches teammates run drills in Florham Park on Wednesday. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers was mostly a spectator during the Jets’ OTA practice Wednesday because of a calf strain. He rode the exercise bike and threw some passes.
Robert Saleh didn’t seem concerned about Rodgers, who hurt himself during pre-practice stretching and conditioning last week. Rodgers was limited Wednesday, but Saleh believes the quarterback could practice in full by the end of the week.
“He’s fine,” Saleh said. “Just doing a bunch of rehab. Hoping to ease him back in, hopefully get him full on Friday — and for sure next week.”
Rodgers has said it’s the first time in his career he’s done work with a medicine ball before practice. Saleh was asked if the Jets would reconsider what Rodgers does because he’s 39.
“You’re always trying to educate and learn,” Saleh said. “I still argue he’s still a young man the way he takes care of his body. His body is not his age. We’ve got to do a better job just making sure we communicate with players, understanding where they are at certain points. That was our first tweak in our stretching or activation period. We’ll always look to modify it if we need to.”
With Rodgers on the side, Zach Wilson ran the first-team offense again. Saleh said Wilson has “been doing a good job” and sees him getting more comfortable in new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system.
“I feel like his accuracy has been pretty darn good so far through the first half of OTAs,” Saleh said. “I think he’s taking it all in and doing his best to learn as much as he can every day. He’s been good. He’s attacking it for sure.”
Passing on Hopkins
Saleh made it sound as if the Jets would not pursue free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Jets made a run at Odell Beckham Jr. before he picked the Ravens, but Saleh is happy with his receiving corps.
“We love our current group,” Saleh said. “I know there was some stuff with Odell. Other than [that] we love our group.”
Left tackle battle
Mekhi Becton wants to return to left tackle. Duane Brown, recovering from offseason rotator-cuff surgery, played the position last year and his entire NFL career. It’s hard to see him moving. The 37-year-old Brown last played right tackle in college.
“My focus right now is getting healthy,” Brown said. “We’ll figure that out when the time is right. I have not played a game at right tackle since junior year, maybe sophomore of college. It’s not something I’ve practiced over the years. Not to say I can’t do it, but I’ve been solidified at that spot for a while.”
Two-minute drill
Saleh said fourth-year receiver Denzel Mims is “competing his butt off,” and that he has a chance to “make this roster and do something special with it.” . . . Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said the depth on the edge could lead to John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons playing inside more on the defensive line.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
