Jets receiver Corey Davis believes he's in top shape after season-ending injury
Jets wide receiver Corey Davis talks to the media during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Thursday. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Corey Davis never ran as much as he did this offseason.
The veteran receiver said he wanted to make sure he was in the best shape he could be in after his first season with the Jets was cut short by an injury.
“I was doing a lot, a lot of running,” Davis said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m trying to run for days. Go out there, run a go ball, come back and run another one. That was kind of my main focus, just get in the best shape as I can.”
Davis, 27, said he lost 10-15 pounds and returned to training camp weighing 205.
“I feel a little bit different,” Davis said. “I’m definitely running better. My joints are thanking me. I feel good. I got to keep it that way.”
Davis already was a difficult receiver to cover. With more speed, quickness and endurance he could be a bigger weapon for Zach Wilson and this improved Jets’ offense.
The Jets signed Davis to a three-year, $37.5 million deal to be their No. 1 receiver. He looked as if he could fill that role early last year, but then injuries started hampering him and his production.
Davis finished with 34 catches for 492 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. Over the last 11 weeks of the season, Davis appeared in just three games and had no touchdowns. He ended the season on injured reserve and underwent core-muscle surgery in December.
The time away from football proved both difficult and beneficial for Davis. He went through some tough times mentally – but Davis said he was finally able to mourn the death of his older brother, Titus, who passed away in 2020 when Corey was with the Titans.
Once his mind was right, Davis worked on his body. Now, he said he’s “fired up” to be back on the field, around his teammates and playing football.
“I’ve never really had a season-ending injury like that,” Davis said. “It was an adjustment just to keep my mind in the right places. It was tough. It was getting around the right people. They kept my head straight. It’s good to be back and to be out here playing ball, do what I love, do what I know.”
The Jets are happy Davis has returned the way he has. They know how important he is for Wilson in this offense. On one play Thursday, Wilson was under pressure and threw a long pass down the field and Davis came down with it.
Davis also is important for a receiver room that’s mostly young. The Jets are expected to start second-year receiver Elijah Moore and rookie Garrett Wilson with Davis. Robert Saleh said Davis’ “veteran leadership” is so valuable.
“It’s a very young group that we have over there with the receiving corps,” Saleh said. “To have him back, and he’s in such a good mental space right now. His body feels good, he feels good. I’m excited for him.
“You say what you want about his season last year, he has a tremendous mindset to attack this season and try to maximize everything he’s got.”
That’s Davis’ plan and his work during the offseason definitely proved that. The sixth-year receiver also is embracing his role to lead this young group.
“We are pretty young,” Davis said. “I definitely view myself as a leader, just trying to bring guys along with and try to teach them what I know.
“I’ve been in this league for a little bit. We’ve made some playoff runs. I kind of know what it takes to go far in this league. Whatever I can tell these guys, teach these guys, I’m definitely going to do that. I just have to be more vocal and lead as much as I can.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
