L. Williams feels ‘great’ in return to field

Leonard Williams returned to practice Tuesday after missing the past several practices with a hip injury suffered in a scrimmage last week.

“I feel great, got back out t here today and have got some fresh legs right now,’’ Williams said. “I really didn’t want to miss too much time, but I was trying to do everything the doctors and trainers needed me to do to be on the safe side. We were being on safe side to make sure I’m ready when the season gets here.

“I wanted to get back to practice as soon as possible so I didn’t have any fall off. Today, I definitely felt I didn’t take too many steps back.’’

Williams said he hurt his hip in the intra-squad scrimmage “and it was inflamed after that.’’

“I went to training room on my day off and looked at it and they told me to stay off of it for a little bit,’’ he said.

Asked if there is any worry this is something that may linger, Williams said, “I’m not concerned.’’

Desperate for depth at their weakest position, the Jets signed corner back Mar

cus Cooper. The 29- yearold veteran was released by the Lions on Monday after playing four games for Detroit last season.

Cooper has also spent time with the Bears, Cardinals and Chiefs, and in 74 career games (28 starts) has tallied seven interceptions, one touchdown and two forced fumbles. The Jets lost Ky ron

Brown to a hamstring injury Monday, a day after he replaced Trumaine John

son, who is also suffering from a hamstring injury.

Also Tuesday the Jets released tight end Nick

Truesdell, who was fighting for playing time with starter

Chris Her ndon serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Taylor Ber to let, the kicker the Jets signed after

Chandler Catanzaro suddenly retired on Sunday, looked strong in his second practice with the team. He was successful on all five of his field-goal attempts — from 43, 40, 44, 32 and 33 yards.

This is the second stint with the Jets for Bertolet, who’s never kicked in an NFL regular-season game. He was the second kicker in camp last year but was beaten out by

Jason Myers, who was not re-signed after the season.

“He’s done a great job since he’s been back,’’ special teams coach Brant Boyer said. “I have a lot of confidence in the kid. He kicks a great ball and has a strong leg. He’s got plenty of leg to kick it out of the back of the end zone.’’