Pair among last of ’02 class

Ed Reed hasn’t played football in four years. Jeremy Shockey and Albert Haynesworth haven’t been on the field since 2011. Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook haven’t suited up since 2010.

Though some of the NFL’s biggest stars left long ago, 2002 draft classmate Josh McCown is having one of the best seasons of his career — and he isn’t alone.

In the Jets’ game Sunday against the Panthers, the 38-year-old quarterback, who was drafted 81st overall by Arizona, will go up against 37-yearold Julius Peppers, who was picked second overall by Carolina in 2002. Before Dwight Freeney was claimed by the Lions on Wednesday, McCown and Pep- pers were the only players from that 2002 draft class still playing in the NFL. McCown and Peppers even became teammates in Chicago and Carolina.

“We hopped on a bus 16 years ago out in L.A. at the rookie premiere and I hopped on and sat next to Julius and I’ve known him ever since,” McCown said Wednes d ay. “It’s an honor to look around and be the last two guys still rolling and still alive with him and the kind of guy he is and the kind of player he is to be alongside him. It’s an honor. I love that guy. He’s a great player, g reat teammate and I look forward to competing against him on Sunday.” The Jets’ bye week didn’t benefit Matt Forte much.

The veteran running back, whose knee injury fo rce d him to miss the Nov. 12 game against the Buccaneers, didn’t practice Wednesday. Forte, 31, hasn’t practiced in nearly three weeks. Cornerback Morris Claiborne (foot) returned against the Buccaneers, after a one-game absence, but left after aggravating the injury. He was a limited participant Wednesday. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (foot), guard Brian Winters (abdomen) and safety Rontez Miles (ankle) were also limited, and tackle Kelvin Beachum (personal) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (illness) did not practice.