Late coach’s family Jets fans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Jets will have some long-distance fans rooting for them Sunday against the Panthers.

The family of Greg Knapp, the Jets assistant coach who tragically died in July after being struck by a car while riding his bike, now has a special connection to the team and will be watching what they do this year.

“The Knapp Family is pulling for the Jets,” Knapp’s widow Charlotte said in an email.

Charlotte Knapp said her family will be at MetLife Stadium next Sunday for the home opener against the Patriots. Knapp was hired in January as the passing game coordinator by new Jets head coach Robert Saleh. The Jets will wear a “GK” sticker on their helmets in his honor this season.

Charlotte said the family will have a particular interest in how rookie quarterback Zach Wilson develops.

“Greg was extremely high on Zach,” Charlotte said. “He was his top choice from early on in the draft process. He believed in Zach. We’ll be pulling for Zach and hope that Greg had a positive impact on the start of his career.” ➤ Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will be calling plays for the first time in the NFL on Sunday, and he’ll do it from the sideline. LaFleur and Saleh had debated whether he would be on the sideline or in the coaches’ booth, but LaFleur did the three preseason games from the sideline and he said that is where he’ll be Sunday. ➤ The team placed S Sharrod Neasman on IR Saturday. S Adrian Colbert and LB Del’Shawn Phillips were added to the active roster.