Mims on outs as other WRs return to field
Good news for the Jets could be more bad news for Denzel Mims.
The expected returns on Sunday of wide receivers Jamison Crowder (COVID-19) and Keelan Cole (knee) might further curtail Mims’ already limited playing time. Crowder, who was activated Thursday, and Cole both practiced on a limited basis. There is a chance that Mims, a second-round pick a year ago who played just three snaps and caught one pass for 40 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Panthers, could be inactive against the Patriots on Sunday.
“It is going to be tougher for all those guys,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said, referring to Mims and some of the other receivers down the depth chart. “That’s why what they’re doing … in practice is absolutely so important to just show everyone, ‘You cannot keep me off the field.’ ”
Head coach Robert Saleh offered a stinging criticism of the speedy 6-foot-3 Mims on Sunday in explaining his lack of playing time. The coach said Mims needs to know all three receiver positions better since he isn’t a starter. Mims spent a majority of training camp receiving backup reps after missing a good portion of spring workouts due to a severe case of food poisoning.
“He wasn’t our starter going into [Week 1] and when you’re not a starter, this whole league, you have to have versatility within the different positions,” LaFleur said.
Both LaFleur and Saleh have said on numerous occasions that Mims is getting better, but that hasn’t meant more playing time. It could mean even less, actually.
➤ Jets LT Mekhi Becton has opted to have surgery on his injured right knee, and will miss anywhere from a month to eight weeks, ESPN reported. Becton, the team’s first-round pick a year ago, got a second opinion after he dislocated his knee cap and suffered MCL and cartilage damage in Sunday’s loss. He is planning to have the operation Wednesday.
In place of Becton, George Fant will start at left tackle Sunday and newcomer Morgan Moses will start at right tackle.
➤ When Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich looks at Patriots quarterback Mac Jones , he doesn’t see a rookie preparing to make his second NFL start.
“He’s way better than I wanted him to be,” Ulbrich joked. “You anticipate seeing a young, inexperienced quarterback making young, inexperienced quarterback types of decisions. I didn’t see a whole lot of it [on film]. Part of that is I think he has some real skill and poise, and he obviously comes from a school where they get NFL-caliber coaching.”
In his debut, Jones completed 29 of 39 passes for 281 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in a 17-16 loss to the Dolphins.
➤ Jets LB Jamien Sherwood (ankle) remained out of practice. Patriots starting OT Trent Brown (calf) and LB Kyle Van Noy (throat) have yet to practice this week, either. Smith (hip) was limited for New England, as was K Quinn Nordin (abdomen), LB Ronnie Perkins (shoulder) and OT Cajuste (hamstring).