Joe McKnight arrested last week on two outstanding traffic warrants
Jets running back Joe McKnight heads upfield during Day 3 of team minicamp, which was held indoors at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. (June 13, 2013) Credit: James Escher
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Jets running back / kick returner Joe McKnight was arrested last week after two outstanding traffic warrants were discovered during a police stop in New Jersey, according to Hanover Township Police Chief Stephen Gallagher.
McKnight, 25, was pulled over by police on July 30 -- a training-camp off day for players -- after he sped past an unmarked police car and changed lanes without signaling, according to Gallagher. The arrest occurred shortly after 11 a.m., about 10 minutes or so from the team's Florham Park facility. Upon checking McKnight's license plate, the arresting officer discovered the running back had two outstanding warrants: a $200 fine in Summit, N.J., for failing to show an insurance card and a $120 fine for McKnight's failure to observe a traffic signal in Springfield, N.J.
"We are aware of it," coach Rex Ryan said, declining further comment on the incident.
McKnight, who currently is sidelined by a head injury and is undergoing tests based on concussion protocol, posted bail of $320 at the police station and was released with a summons for an unsafe lane change and an uninsured motor vehicle.
Despite his obvious talent, the running back has yet to live up to expectations since his fourth-round selection in the 2010 draft. And each year, there's always an issue.
"I usually say to guys in their third year: 'It's the X factor for you. You need to show up or else,' " running backs coach Anthony Lynn said. "Joe has definitely shown he's made plays and can help the team. I would like for him to be a little more dependable and reliable. The sky's the ceiling for Joe. He's a talented young man."
Ryan, however, refused to touch upon McKnight's host of training-camp maladies -- the most recent of which was a failed conditioning test when the team reported to SUNY Cortland on July 25.
Ryan came to McKnight's defense, saying the running back is in shape but suffers from "anxiety" or "a little bit of angst" when it comes to taking conditioning tests. "It's just like, when you get guys taking ACT or the SAT," Ryan said. "Some guys freeze up."
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