Kacy Rodgers to return to coaching with the Jets
Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers missed the past two games because of an undisclosed illness. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
The Jets will be getting their defensive leader back this week. Defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers has been medically cleared to return to work after missing the previous two games with what Todd Bowles called a “serious” health issue.
“He should be ready to go,” Bowles said during a conference call Monday. “We’ll ease him in slowly. It depends on how he feels, but he’s been doing a lot better.”
Bowles said Rodgers will coach Sunday’s game against the Vikings but added that it’s too early to know whether Rodgers will handle all of the play-calling duties. Bowles ran the defense in the two games that Rodgers missed.
“We’ll see where he is health-wise, coming back and everything else, and we’ll try to play it by ear,” Bowles said.
Rodgers attended Sunday’s victory over the Colts but watched from a box. He met with the team and players before and after the game, and many of them said it provided a lift.
Bowles would not divulge the nature of Rodgers’ illness but said Rodgers can if he chooses. Bowles is just happy his good friend is doing better.
“Any time you get somebody that gets sick or has some type of illness, you kind of worry about him wholeheartedly,” Bowles said. “The job doesn’t matter. It’s all about the person getting healthy. It’s a big relief for us.”
“He’s a great spirit, a great energy, a great coach,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “It’s always awesome to see the guy come back, especially from the things that he’s been through for the past few weeks and to come back to the game that he loves. My only concern is as long as he has health, that’s all that matters.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
